Facebook has announced a wide range of new features to coincide with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (3/8), with the biggest being the launch of multi-participant Instagram Live rooms, as noted, the company has been testing for the last few months.
According to Facebook: “Beginning March 1st, creators and others can go live on Instagram with up to three other people with the launch of Live Rooms. During Women’s History Month, tune in to Live discussions with influential women and creators on how women can help each other overcome obstacles and succeed.”
Talking more about IG Live streams, Facebook first launched a test of multi-participant Instagram Live streams for users in India back in December, where it’s working to fill the void left by TikTok’s ban in the region. Additionally, last month, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri announced that the option would be coming to all regions in the next couple of weeks.
As such, it has been in the works for a little while – in fact, Instagram has actually been developing the option for nearly a full year, with Adam Mosseri noting last March that they were looking to enable more extra guests in Live broadcasts.
Taking into consideration the rise in streaming usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more and more people looking for more ways to stay connected, it’s slightly surprising that it’s taken them this long to launch, however, now it’s finally arrived, which will open up a new range of possibilities for your IG Live streams.
Keeping in mind that you could conduct interviews, for instance, invite fans along with customers onto streams, you could share the stage with influencers, etc. Going live with another person can also feel less intimidating than broadcasting alone. And as shown by the recent rise in audio live-stream platforms, people are obviously interested in more real, in-the-moment connections at this time.
As you can see in these above screenshots, users will be able to invite connections into their IG Live rooms, which will then be viewable by all of their followers, along with your own. Also, when you send a request for someone to join your Live room, the user will be notified by a drop-down notification (as you can see in the second screen above).
Again, there’s a wide range of ways this could be used, also with the added capacity to broadcast your discussion (as opposed to the more private Messenger Rooms) it could also provide new ways to build stronger connections with your Instagram audience.
Aside from IG Live Rooms, Facebook is also looking forward to highlighting Women’s History Month via a range of more specifically themed additions.
Note that, on both Instagram and Messenger, Facebook’s adding some new, custom sticker sets ‘to celebrate the women in your life and encourage conversation around those who’ve paved the way in their communities’.
Besides Facebook’s participation with IG Live streams, Facebook’s launching a new category in its Community Help dashboard which will help nonprofits along with individuals organize charity drives besides collecting essential items via Facebook’s tools.
Not only that but also Facebook has provided some new stats on initiatives launched by women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COPYRIGHTS DIGITAL MARKETING COMMUNITY 2019