Connecting Facebook & Instagram
Last updated: June 30, 2026
What this page helps you do: get the stream keys Streamster needs to simulcast to Facebook and Instagram, and understand the one big difference between the two.
Facebook and Instagram each give you a stream key that you paste into Streamster. The key difference: Facebook's key is persistent — save it once and reuse it. Instagram's key is single-use — you generate and paste a fresh one before every broadcast. Streamster then simulcasts your single OBS stream to both.
Where you paste these keys: in the Go-live stepper in your Streamster dashboard. Your Facebook persistent key is saved there once; your fresh Instagram key goes in right before each broadcast. For the full broadcast flow, see Go live in 5 minutes.
Facebook Live (persistent stream key)
Facebook provides stream keys through its Live Producer tool, available for Pages and most personal profiles. Use the persistent key so you only set this up once.
What you need
- A Facebook Page or profile with live video access
- Access to Facebook Live Producer
Steps (do this once)
- Go to facebook.com/live/producer and choose where you want to broadcast (your Page, group, or timeline).
- Select Streaming software as your setup method.
- Open Advanced settings and turn on Use a persistent stream key.
- Copy the Stream key.
- In your Streamster Go-live stepper, paste it into the Facebook field and save.
✓ What success looks like: your Facebook stream key is saved in Streamster, and you will not need to touch it again for future broadcasts.
Heads up: a Facebook persistent stream key can still expire after a few hours of inactivity (around 5 hours). If Facebook ever rejects your saved key, generate a new persistent key in Live Producer and paste the new one into Streamster.
Instagram Live (fresh key every broadcast)
Instagram lets eligible accounts stream from external software through Instagram Live Producer. Instagram's rules are stricter than Facebook's, so read this section carefully.
Instagram requirements (all four must be true):
- A fresh stream key for every broadcast — Instagram keys are single-use, so there is nothing permanent to save.
- A Professional account (Business or Creator) — free to switch in Instagram settings.
- 1,000+ followers — Instagram only grants RTMP / Live Producer access above this threshold.
- The Instagram Live Producer browser tab stays open for the entire broadcast — if you close it, the stream ends.
Steps (do this every broadcast)
- Open Instagram Live Producer in a browser and start setting up a new live broadcast.
- Copy the stream key Instagram generates for this broadcast.
- In your Streamster Go-live stepper, paste it into the Instagram field.
- Leave the Instagram Live Producer tab open for the whole stream.
✓ What success looks like: today's fresh Instagram key is pasted into Streamster, and the Instagram Live Producer tab is open and waiting. You are ready to follow the go-live flow.
Facebook vs Instagram at a glance
| Platform | Stream key | How often you set it up | Account requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent (reusable) | Once — reuse it (may expire after ~5h idle) | Page or profile with live access | |
| Single-use (fresh each time) | Every broadcast | Professional account, 1,000+ followers, keep Live Producer tab open |
Both platforms still need their own "Go Live"
Saving your keys connects Streamster to each platform, but it does not start the broadcast on their side. After your stream reaches Facebook and Instagram, you must press each platform's own "Go Live" button — once on Facebook and once on Instagram. Streamster cannot press them for you. This is the final step of the go-live flow.
Troubleshooting
Facebook: stream not appearing
- Confirm you picked the correct destination (Page vs. profile vs. group) in Live Producer.
- Your persistent key may have expired after inactivity — generate a fresh one and update it in Streamster.
- Make sure you pressed Facebook's own Go Live button.
Instagram: no RTMP / Live Producer option
- Switch your account to Professional (Business or Creator) in Instagram settings.
- Check that you have 1,000+ followers — Instagram gates RTMP access on this.
- Use a fresh key for this broadcast; an old key from a previous stream will not work.
Instagram: stream drops mid-broadcast
- The Instagram Live Producer browser tab must stay open the entire time. Don't close it or let the computer sleep.
Next Steps
- Go live in 5 minutes — the every-broadcast flow that uses these keys
- RTMP Setup — configure OBS Studio or Streamlabs
- How streaming works — the cloud simulcast model
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Instagram need a new stream key every time?
Instagram stream keys are single-use — that is Instagram's rule, not Streamster's. Generate a fresh key in Instagram Live Producer and paste it into the Go-live stepper before each broadcast. Facebook is different: it uses a persistent key you save once and reuse.
What does Instagram require to stream from Streamster?
You need a Professional (Business or Creator) Instagram account with at least 1,000 followers to unlock RTMP / Live Producer access. You also generate a fresh single-use stream key for every broadcast and must keep the Instagram Live Producer browser tab open the whole time you are live.
Do I need a business account for Facebook?
Facebook live streaming via a stream key is available to Pages and most personal profiles through Live Producer. Facebook supports a persistent stream key you can save once and reuse — though a Facebook stream key can expire after a few hours of inactivity, in which case you generate a new one.
Do I need separate software for each platform?
No. Streamster handles the simulcast in the cloud. You stream once from OBS Studio or Streamlabs to Streamster, and Streamster fans your feed out to Facebook and Instagram. You only need enough upload bandwidth for a single 720p stream — about 5 Mbps.