How Many Followers You Need to Go Live, by Platform

TikTok and Instagram want 1,000 followers, Facebook wants 100, YouTube wants 50 on a phone and none on a computer, and Twitch and Kick let anyone stream. Each platform has other conditions too, mostly age and account standing, and those matter just as much.

YouTube

On a computer: no subscriber minimum. Webcam and encoder streams (OBS and the like) only need a verified channel and no live streaming restrictions in the past 90 days. You also have to be at least 16 years old to live stream. Source: support.google.com/youtube/answer/2474026, checked 24 September 2026

On a phone: 50 subscribers. The same conditions apply, plus an Android 8.0 or iOS 8 device, and the first stream can take up to 24 hours to switch on. Between 50 and 999 subscribers, YouTube may limit how many people can watch your mobile stream, and the replay is set to private by default. After you reach 1,000 it can take several weeks for the limit to go, and you only lose mobile streaming if you drop below 50. Source: support.google.com/youtube/answer/9228390, checked 24 September 2026

So if you are under 50, stream from a computer. A free encoder like OBS works with any channel that meets the other rules.

TikTok

1,000 followers, and you must be 18. TikTok's help page lists three conditions: at least 18 years old to go LIVE, at least 18 (19 in South Korea) to send or receive Gifts, and 1,000 followers to go LIVE, with the note that this "may vary across regions". Source: tiktok.com/support/faq_detail, checked 24 September 2026

Once you qualify, you go live from the app: tap the plus button, scroll to LIVE, add a title and tap Go LIVE.

Instagram

1,000 followers on a public account. Instagram's help page says only users with a public account and 1,000 followers or more can start a live broadcast. Live is off by default for Teen Accounts: under 16 needs a parent's or guardian's permission, 16 and 17 can switch it on themselves. Newly created accounts, and accounts that had posts removed for breaking the rules, may not be able to go live at all. Source: help.instagram.com/292478487812558, checked 24 September 2026

A private account cannot go live however many followers it has, so switching to public is the first step.

Facebook

100 followers and a 60 day old account. Facebook's help page lists the requirements: the account must be at least 60 days old, and the Page or professional mode profile must have at least 100 followers. To go live from a Page you also need Facebook access or task access to create content. Source: facebook.com/help/1636872026560015, checked 24 September 2026

The rule names Pages and professional mode profiles, so on a regular profile the first step is turning pro mode on. Our Facebook followers guide shows where to check your number.

Twitch

No follower minimum. Twitch's streaming FAQ says all you need is a stable internet connection and a video encoder, such as OBS, a console or the Twitch app. Source: help.twitch.tv/s/article/how-do-i-stream-faq, checked 24 September 2026

Age is the real condition. Twitch's terms set the minimum at 13, or older where local law says so, and anyone under the age of adulthood needs a parent or guardian who supervises and agrees to the terms. Source: twitch.tv/p/en/legal/terms-of-service/, checked 24 September 2026

The follower number people chase on Twitch is 25: that is the follower part of the Affiliate program, which also asks for 4 hours streamed on 4 different days and an average of 3 viewers on 4 days, all within 30 days, plus two-factor authentication. Older guides still say 50 followers, 500 minutes and 7 days; that is out of date. Source: help.twitch.tv/s/article/joining-the-affiliate-program, checked 24 September 2026

Kick

No follower minimum. Kick's streaming guide goes straight from your stream key to going live, with no follower condition anywhere. Source: help.kick.com/en/articles/7066931-how-to-stream-on-kick-com, checked 24 September 2026

Kick is open from 13, or the age of digital consent where you live if that is higher, and under 18 only with a parent's or guardian's consent and supervision. It also recommends turning on two-factor authentication from day one, and it is required once you monetise. Source: help.kick.com/en/articles/14994466-how-to-create-a-kick-account, checked 24 September 2026

The number to aim for on Kick is 250 followers, one of the Partner Program requirements next to 75 average viewers and 30 hours streamed in 30 days. Source: help.kick.com/en/articles/8894103-how-to-join-the-kick-partner-program, checked 24 September 2026

Track your progress to the threshold

Waiting for the app to tell you that you can go live is slow. A live counter shows exactly how far you are:

• TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch and Kick counters show the full follower number, not a rounded one.
• On the Instagram counter, type 1,000 into the Follower goal box. The bar fills up as you get closer and shows how many are left.
• YouTube only shows a rounded public count, but under 1,000 subscribers it is exact, so 50 is easy to track on the YouTube counter.

Rules move, and guides copy each other long after a platform changes something. That is why every rule above links to the help page it comes from. We will update this page when those pages change; the date at the top says when we last checked.

Streaming without your own PC

Once you can go live, the next problem is keeping a stream up. For a 24/7 stream, like a follower or subscriber count running day and night, your own computer has to stay on the whole time. A streaming VPS is a server in a data center that runs OBS for you instead. Space-Node's streaming VPS comes with OBS Studio installed; the Gold plan does 720p at 30 fps for €19.99 a month, and the €9.99 Stone plan works for a counter if you accept that the digits jump once a second (480p at 1 frame per second). Our guide to a 24/7 live subscriber count stream walks through the whole setup.