Introducing Broadcast Channels, a New Way for Creators to Deepen Connections with Followers

Update – June 15, 2023: Today we’re expanding Instagram broadcast channels globally, giving millions of creators a new way to directly engage with their followers at scale in real time. As we’ve expanded broadcast channels in the US, accounts like @armaniblanco and @justmaiko have seen unparalleled engagement from fans whether they’re sharing sneak peeks of upcoming content, asking for feedback via polls and sharing candid moments via voice notes. We’re excited to see what creators around the world do with broadcast channels. 

We’re also sharing updates on new and upcoming features aimed at making broadcast channels even more fun and interactive: 

Takeaways:

Introducing Broadcast Channels 📣

We’re always exploring new ways to help creators directly reach their audience and form deeper connections with their communities. Today, Mark Zuckerberg announced broadcast channels on Instagram with his own “Meta Channel 📢.” Broadcast channels are a public, one-to-many messaging tool for creators to invite all of their followers into and engage with their most interested fans. 

Creators can use broadcast channels as a casual, quick way to keep followers up-to-date. They can use text, photo, video and voice notes to share their latest updates and behind-the-scenes moments and even create polls to crowdsource fan feedback. Only creators can send messages, while followers can react to content and vote in polls. 

In the coming months, Instagram will be adding more features, such as the ability to bring another creator into the channel to discuss upcoming collabs, collect questions for an AMA via question prompts, and more – the possibilities for connecting with fans are endless, and we can’t wait to see how creators begin using their channels. 

Check Out Who’s Using Channels 👀

Check out the following creators who are starting their broadcast channels today. Head to their profiles and tap the channel link in bio (accessible via mobile only):

How Does It Work?

Once a creator gets access, they can start a broadcast channel from their Instagram inbox. Upon sending their first broadcast channel message, their followers will receive a one-time notification to join the channel. As soon as the broadcast channel is live, creators can also encourage followers to join by using the “join channel” sticker in Stories or by pinning the channel link to their profile.

For creators with Subscriptions who want to create a broadcast channel open to all followers, be sure to set the audience to “all followers.” There’s also the option to create a broadcast channel limited to paid subscribers for your most exclusive content. 

Here’s how to join a broadcast channel:

Anyone can discover the broadcast channel and view the content. All followers will receive the first notification inviting them to join the broadcast channel; however, only followers who have joined will receive subsequent notifications for new updates. Followers can leave or mute broadcast channels at any time, or turn off a creator’s broadcast channel notifications entirely. 

Getting Early Access

We’re currently testing broadcast channels with a handful of U.S. creators and plan to expand in the coming months. Creators who are interested can sign up to be considered for early access HERE. 

(please access the waitlist on your mobile device). Spots are limited and we will be providing early access on a rolling basis. 

Coming Soon to Messenger and Facebook 📺

While we are first introducing this new feature to Instagram, we’ll also be testing broadcast channels in Messenger and Facebook in the coming months. We’ll have more to share as broadcast channels become more widely available.

Privacy & Safety 

To help people feel safe and welcome, broadcast channels are subject to  Instagram’s Community Guidelines. People can report both the broadcast channel itself or specific content shared in the channel, which can be removed if it goes against Meta policies. 

Broadcast channels are designed for public and discoverable chat experiences, so they are treated differently from private messaging on Instagram. We have tools and reviewers to help us identify, review or remove content in broadcast channels that may violate our Community Guidelines – often before anyone sees it. To learn more about the differences between channels and private conversations on Instagram, check out our Help Center.

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