How to Find People Live on Instagram: Discover Live Video Streams
August 4, 2023 By: Ellen BartolinoNavigating the world of Instagram Live can be a thrilling adventure. With the tap of a button, you can watch a live video of someone you follow, or even watch random broadcasts from people you don’t. But how do you find and follow these live broadcasts, especially popular ones that are not from your regular circle? This guide is your roadmap to learn how to find live videos on Instagram, whether it’s from an Instagram account you follow or a top live broadcast that’s trending.
We’ll show you how to start live sessions, explore Instagram lives, and even share a live broadcast. You’ll also learn about live archive, a feature on Instagram that allows you to revisit live sessions you might have missed. And if you’re wondering how to see who is live right now, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re new to Instagram or a seasoned user, this guide will help you dive deeper into the exciting world of Instagram Live. So, let’s go to Instagram and start exploring!
How to Find Lives on Instagram
Instagram, a platform teeming with photos and videos, offers a multitude of ways to find live videos. Whether you’re on a quest to find a specific person’s video or you’re in the mood to explore random lives on Instagram, this social media giant has got you covered. With new Instagram live updates even, the process has become more streamlined than ever.
From the Following List – Find Live Videos on Instagram
If you’re interested in watching live videos from the accounts you follow, Instagram makes it easy. When someone from your followers starts a video, their profile picture will appear at the top of your feed with a colorful ring around it and the word “Live.” This is a great way to see your live friends in action and join in their broadcast. Simply tap on their profile picture to join the video. You’ll need to check your feed regularly to catch these live broadcasts, as they happen in real-time and are often spontaneous.
Random Lives – Random Lives on Instagram
Finding random videos on Instagram is a bit more of an adventure, but it’s still very much possible. One way is to use the Explore page. Tap on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen to go to the Explore page. Then, tap on “IGTV” and select “Live.” Here, you’ll see a list of random videos that are currently happening. This feature is a great way to interact with random people and discover new content.
Before joining, you may also want to scroll down to learn more about the live video. Instagram provides a brief description and the number of viewers for each video. You can also see when someone started their video, which can be helpful if you’re looking to join a fresh broadcast.
Remember, Instagram is all about community and interaction. So, don’t be shy to add to your IGTV section or invite your friends to join a live video with you. After all, the more, the merrier!
Using Instagram Mobile App and Web Browser – Ways to See Live Video
Whether you’re using the Instagram mobile app or a web browser, there are ways to find and watch live videos. Let’s explore these methods.
On Mobile App – Go Live
Finding live videos on the Instagram mobile app is straightforward. When someone you follow starts a live broadcast, their profile picture will appear at the top of your feed with a colorful ring around it and the word “Live.” Simply tap on their profile pic to join the live stream.
On Web Browser – Watch Live Videos
If you’re using a web browser, you can still watch videos on Instagram. However, the process is slightly different. You’ll need to visit the Instagram website and log in to your account. Once you’re logged in, click on the camera icon at the top of the page. This will open a drop-down menu where you can select “Live Video.” From there, you can browse and watch videos.
Starting Your Own Live Broadcast – IG Live
Starting your own live broadcast on Instagram is a great way to engage with your followers. To start a live video, swipe right from anywhere in your feed. Then tap “Live” at the bottom of the screen. Once you’re live, the word “Live” will appear under your profile picture in the stories bar. You can end your video at any time by tapping “End” in the top right corner.
Notifications and Interactions with Live Broadcasts – Instagram Notification
Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms, offers a plethora of ways to stay updated with live broadcasts and interact with them. Whether someone is live that you follow or a random live Instagram broadcast pops up, the platform ensures you’re in the loop. Let’s delve deeper into these features.
Notifications for Live Broadcasts – Instagram Stories
To ensure you never miss a broadcast from the accounts you follow, you can enable Instagram notifications for live videos. This is especially useful when your friends start live broadcasts or when there are new Instagram live updates. To do this, go to your Instagram profile and tap the menu icon in the top right corner. Then, tap “Settings,” followed by “Notifications.” Under “Live and IGTV,” you can adjust your video notification preferences.
But what if you missed an Instagram broadcast? Don’t worry, Instagram has you covered. Many users opt to save their broadcasts as live broadcast replays or add them to their Instagram reels. This way, you can catch up on any video you might have missed.
Moreover, Instagram offers a unique feature where you can see who’s live on Instagram right from your feed. When people you follow go live, their profile picture will appear at the top of your feed with a colorful ring around it and the word “Live.” You can tap on their profile image to watch the live video.
Interacting with broadcasts is also a breeze on Instagram. You can comment, like, and even send a request to join a video. This makes the experience more engaging and fun, as you’re not just a passive viewer but an active participant in the video.
Interacting with Live Videos – Comment on Your Live
During a live video, you can interact with random people by commenting, liking, and sharing the live video. You can also use the question box to ask the broadcaster questions or respond to their questions. This makes watching videos a more engaging and interactive experience.
I remember the first time I went live on Instagram. I was nervous, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. My followers were able to join in, comment, and interact with me in real-time. It was a great way to connect with my audience on a deeper level.
According to Instagram, as of 2023, there are over 1 billion active users on the platform. This means there’s a vast array of videos to explore, whether you’re interested in fitness, cooking, travel, or just about any other topic you can think of.
Exploring IGTV for Live Videos – IGTV Live
Instagram TV, or IGTV, is another great place to find live videos on Instagram. IGTV is a standalone video application by Instagram for Android and iOS smartphones. It allows for longer videos than Instagram feeds and stories and stores videos for future viewing.
To find videos on IGTV, tap on the IGTV icon at the top right of your Instagram feed. This will take you to the IGTV home page. If someone you follow has recently gone live and saved their video to IGTV, it will appear here. You can also browse through the “Following” and “Popular” tabs to discover more videos.
Remember, not all videos are saved to IGTV. It’s up to the broadcaster to save their video to IGTV once the broadcast ends. So, if you can’t find a video on IGTV, it’s likely that the broadcaster chose not to save it.
A 2023 case study found that businesses can effectively use Instagram Live and IGTV to generate leads and drive sales. One business, an online clothing retailer, started doing weekly videos where they showcased their latest products. They saved their videos to IGTV, allowing their followers to watch the videos at their convenience and shop the featured products.
Conclusion – Instagram Live Video
Instagram Live is a powerful feature that allows users to connect with their followers in real-time. Whether you’re looking to watch live videos from the accounts you follow, explore random videos, or even start your own live broadcast, Instagram makes it easy to find and interact with those videos.
Remember, Instagram offers several ways to find live videos – through your feed, the Explore page, and IGTV. Each method offers a unique way to discover and interact with videos. So, why not give it a try? You might find your new favorite broadcaster or even inspire to start your own podcast!
I once received a notification that one of my favorite influencers was going live. I joined the video and was able to interact with them by asking questions and commenting. It was a unique and exciting experience that made me feel more connected to the influencer. Later, I found out that they had saved their live video to IGTV. I was able to rewatch the video at my convenience and even share it with my friends. It was a great way to relive and share the experience with others.
A 2023 survey found that over 500 million users use Instagram Stories every day. Since live videos appear in the Stories section, this means there’s a large potential audience for any live video. Plus, with the option to save videos to IGTV, broadcasters can reach an even larger audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get notified when someone I don’t follow goes live on Instagram?
While Instagram primarily notifies you about live videos from people you follow, you can also discover videos from accounts you don’t follow through the Explore page or by searching for specific hashtags.
Can I apply filters and effects while watching someone else’s live video on Instagram?
While you can apply filters and effects when you are broadcasting a video, these features are not available when you are watching someone else’s video. However, you can interact in other ways such as commenting or sending likes.
Can I invite my friends to watch a live video with me on Instagram?
While watching a video, you can share the broadcast with your friends by tapping on the airplane icon at the bottom of the screen and selecting the friends you want to invite.
What happens if I start a live video and then end it abruptly?
If you start a live video and then end it abruptly, the video will not be saved to your IGTV unless you choose to share it there. Your viewers will also be notified that the video has ended.
Can I block someone from watching my live video on Instagram?
Yes, you can block someone from watching your live video. Before you start the video, you can go to your settings and select ‘Privacy’ and then ‘Blocked Accounts’ to add the person you want to block. They will not be able to watch your video or find your account on Instagram.
Author Bio
Ellen Bartolino
Ellen is a seasoned author and communication expert, with a particular focus on Instagram. Her extensive knowledge of the platform has allowed her to create engaging and effective content for businesses and individuals alike. Ellen has a proven track record of crafting compelling Instagram captions and influencer marketing.