Instagram has unveiled two new features allowing users to broadcast live video on Instagram Stories and send disappearing photos and video messages to followers via direct messages.

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These features aren’t new to social media. Before now, they were prominent on the ephemeral Snapchat app.

Instagram Live lets you broadcast video to your followers in real-time, but they can only watch while you’re still streaming.

No replays. But you will be able to browse an algorithmically curated Explore page of the best Instagram Live videos happening right now.

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According to Instagram, it’s easy to go live — just swipe right from feed to open the camera, tap the “Start Live Video” button and start sharing for up to an hour.

Your friends may get a notification when you go live so they can tune in. While you’re live, you can pin a comment for everyone to see or turn comments off altogether.

When someone you follow starts a live story, you’ll see “Live” under their profile photo in the stories bar. During the broadcast, you can comment and like as much as you want.

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“Instagram should be all of your moments, not just your highlights,” says Kevin Weil, Instagram’s head of product.

Live video on Instagram Stories and Explore will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks.



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