To stream Zoom to Instagram Live, use Zoom’s custom live streaming option with Instagram Live Producer. For Instagram only, enter Instagram’s stream URL and key in Zoom. To broadcast the same meeting to Instagram and other platforms through Restream, enter Restream’s RTMP URL and key in Zoom, then connect Instagram as a destination in Restream.

Requirements for streaming Zoom to Instagram

The custom RTMP workflow below requires an eligible paid Zoom account and an assigned Meetings license for the host, or the appropriate Webinar license. An owner or admin must enable Custom Live Streaming Service. Start the stream as the host in Zoom’s desktop app on Windows or macOS.

Instagram requires a public account with at least 1,000 followers and a professional account with Live Producer access. Open Instagram on desktop and create a new live video to get a fresh stream key for each broadcast. Keep that tab open, start the Zoom feed, then click Go Live in Instagram after the preview appears.

Zoom sends a horizontal feed, while Instagram displays a vertical crop. Test the preview before going public and keep speakers and important text in the center. Stop the Instagram broadcast before ending the Zoom stream; Instagram Live Producer broadcasts are limited to one hour.

How to enable live streaming on Zoom

Enabling live streaming for your Zoom account is the first step to go live. The host needs the eligible paid Zoom license described above; an owner or admin must allow custom live streaming.

  1. Access your Zoom account on your browser and navigate to your Settings.
  2. Go to the Meeting tab and click In Meeting (Advanced).
  3. Turn on Allow livestreaming of meetings.
  4. Check the box next to Custom Live Streaming Service.
Zoom settings "allow livestreaming of meetings".
  1. Click Save.

You can follow the same steps for a webinar by clicking the webinar tab.

How to stream Zoom to Instagram Live only

  1. First, make sure you have a professional Instagram account. You can follow the steps here to set it up for free.
  2. Open instagram.com on your desktop.
  3. Click Create on your left and select Live Video.
  4. Fill in a title for your broadcast and set your audience - practice for private streams, public for followers to see, and close friends for close friends only.
  5. Click Next and copy the Stream URL and Stream key.
  6. Keep the Instagram tab open, then join your webinar or meeting as the host on Zoom.
  7. Click More from your controls and select Live on custom live streaming service .
  8. Zoom will launch a new tab on your browser, where you will fill in the following:
    1. Paste the stream URL and key under the relevant fields.
    2. Under Live streaming page URL paste a link to your Instagram profile.
  9. Click Go Live!
  10. Go back to the Instagram tab and click Go Live once you see the Zoom preview appear.
  11. Keep that tab open during your stream; stop the stream on Instagram before you end your meeting.

How to stream Zoom to Instagram and other platforms with Restream

If you’d like to stream your Zoom meeting to other channels in addition to Instagram, use Restream’s multistreaming service.

  1. Sign in to Restream on your browser.
  2. Click Channels from the left menu on your screen and select Add New.
  3. Select the Instagram icon and repeat steps 1-5 to set up your stream on Instagram.
  4. Keep the Instagram tab open and return to Restream.
  5. Enter your Instagram username and paste the stream key in the relevant fields.
  6. Click Add Channel to save.
  7. Follow the prompts to add any other channels you’d like from Restream’s 30+ supported platforms.
  8. Once your channels are set, create an RTMP stream:
    1. Click New Stream and select Encoder | RTMP.
    2. Set up a title for your stream at the top and activate your channels on the right.
    3. Copy the RTMP URL and stream key.
Stream Zoom to Instagram and other platforms with Restream.
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You can leave this window anytime! All your settings will be saved under a stream card on your home screen. Whenever you need to access these details again, click RTMP Setup on that card.
  1. Head over to Zoom and join your webinar or meeting as the host.
  2. Click More, then select Live on custom live streaming service.
Zoom settings "Live on Custom Live Streaming Service".
  1. Zoom will launch a tab on your browser. Fill in the following:
    1. Paste Restream’s RTMP URL and stream key under the relevant fields.
    2. Under Live streaming page URL, paste a link to any of the platforms you’ll stream to.
  2. Click Go Live!
  3. Go back to the Instagram tab and click Go Live once the Zoom preview appears. Check the preview on every destination. Facebook Groups also require a separate Go Live click in Live Producer.
Stream Zoom to Instagram Live.
  1. Keep that tab open, and stop the stream on Instagram before you end your meeting.

FAQs

Is it possible to stream to Instagram Live and YouTube simultaneously with Zoom?

Yes. Connect Instagram and YouTube in Restream, then send Zoom’s custom RTMP feed to Restream. Use the Restream URL and key in Zoom, and the fresh Instagram key in Restream; these are two different connections. Once Instagram receives the preview, click Go Live in its browser tab. YouTube must also have live streaming enabled, which can take up to 24 hours the first time.

Do I need a paid Zoom account for live streaming?

For the custom RTMP method described here, yes: the host needs an eligible paid Zoom account with an assigned Meetings license, or the appropriate Webinar license, and custom live streaming enabled by an owner or admin. Restream is a separate service, and plan requirements depend on the destinations and features you use. An Instagram professional account is free, but it must meet Instagram’s eligibility requirements.

What will my stream look like on Instagram?

Instagram displays a vertical view of Zoom’s horizontal video, so the sides of the meeting layout can be cropped. Preview a practice stream and keep faces, slides and captions inside the center of the frame. If you need a dedicated 9:16 output from Zoom through Restream, paid transcoding hours can convert the feed. Alternatively, produce the stream in a tool with vertical layout controls. Do not assume that simply choosing Instagram will preserve the full Zoom gallery view.

Wrap-up

Streaming from Zoom to Instagram Live can seem tricky since Zoom doesn’t offer native support for Instagram. However, with solutions like Restream, the process opens the door to multistreaming, allowing you to reach your audience on Instagram in real time. If you only want to stream directly to Instagram, Zoom’s custom option may cover your needs. But if you’re looking to maximize your impact by broadcasting to multiple platforms at once, pairing Zoom and Restream is the ideal choice. Whichever route you choose, make sure your content gets the reach and engagement it deserves!