Since we’re all living in a video-chat world nowadays, Instagram has rolled out a new feature known as ‘Co-Watching’ to #MakeThisQuarantineCount. The update lets you & your friends browse Instagram together over video chats. With several of us staying at home, knowing how to use Instagram’s Co-Watching feature can undoubtedly help you to make virtual hangouts exciting & entertaining.
Here’s everything you need to know about Co-Watching, Instagram new features & how it works?
Why Is The Co-Watching Feature Trending On Instagram?
Instagram has taken several measures to help people stay informed, safe & supported during this #Coronavirus Outbreak & Co-Watching is one of the parts of their efforts.
Previously, if you had to share a post or picture while on Instagram Video Chat, you had to leave the calling window & then send the post. The process was quite tedious; however, with Co-Watching, you no longer have to leave the video call, you can easily share your screen without disconnecting.
Since video chatting has blown up in recent times, platforms like Skype, Zoom & Google Hangouts have seen a massive boom in the past couple of weeks. Hence, it would be exciting to see if this new Instagram update, ‘Co-Watching’ could bring a similar impact on Insta group video chat feature.
Eight Things You Need To Know About ‘Co-Watching’ On Instagram
It’s a subtle form of Facebook Watch Party that lets users connect & watch stuff together.
1. Co-Watching Compatibility
The Co-Watching feature is available for video calls right now for Private, Public & Business Instagram accounts.
2. Does Media Sharing Works While On Instagram Group Video Chat
You can Co-Watch together while on Group Video Chats without any hassles. The procedure is similar to personal video calls.
3. Types Of Files You Can Share While Using Co-Watching
With the new Instagram update, Co-Watching, you can only share three kinds of things. The posts you’ve liked on Instagram, your saved posts for personal collection & recommended ones by Instagram, it’s based on preferences, likes and other factors.
4. Types Of Files You Cannot Share During The Video Calls
Worth to mention, Co-watching certainly does not allow users to check out the entire feed or a friend’s feed while on video chat. Only the aforementioned stuff can be watched or shared in groups. Right now, the support for IGTV is also missing & you cannot even share photos or videos from your gallery.
5. Will Instagram Notify Other Users When Their Posts Are Shared?
No! When you are co-sharing other user’s posts, no notification is sent to the dedicated person. But, not to forget that since the co-watching feature works on Liked & Saved posts, the users would be notified when you had earlier liked their post.
6. How Many Posts Can Be Shared During Instagram Co-Watching?
At a time, you can share only one post. If you want to share multiple pictures or videos, first remove the post you’ve shared to co-watch & then send the new one.
7. What About Sharing Private Instagram Posts On Co-Watching?
Sharing both public & private posts is possible while using the Co-Watching feature. Though sharing public pictures & videos, there’s no restriction; however, when you share private profile’s posts, things change. So, when you share liked or saved posts from someone’s private account, make sure all the participants are following the private profile to see their posts & stories.
Also Read: How To View Private Instagram Profiles?
8. Instagram Live VS Co-Watching
Well, both are entirely different Instagram features. When you go Live on Instagram, you are visible to all your followers. However, using Co-Watching, the experience is limited to a personal level, and you are visible to a few people only.
Also Read: How To Download Someone Else’s Instagram Live Video?
How The New Instagram Update ‘Co-Watching’ Works?
Well, using the Co-Watching feature is darn simple. All you have to do is:
- Head to Instagram DM (Direct Messaging window, it looks like the paper-plane icon)
- Start Instagram Video Chat with any of your favorite contacts.
- Once you begin chatting, tap on the Media icon (Photos symbol) that appears on the bottom of the pane.
- This would help you and your friend view all the recently liked, saved images & Insta recommendations on your feed.
Additional Information: Take a moment to clean your Instagram account!
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In case your Instagram account is packed with hundreds and thousands of bots and self-promoters, consider cleaning up your Instagram account and enjoy a higher engagement rate than ever before. Take help of SpamGuard for the purpose, a reliable smart cleaner tool that aims to protect Instagram users from spam and bots. Using this, one can easily run a comprehensive scan and declutter their profile by removing inactive, non-mutual, ghosts and fake followers. It also assists users in wiping their comments, removing tags, DM requests and other activities.
If you’re someone who has this kind of Instagram audience for a while now, then give SpamGuard a shot. Do not forget to share your experience while using this Instagram smart cleaning tool in the comments section below.
Did You Try The New Instagram Feature ‘Co-Watching’?
According to TechCrunch, “the photo-sharing platform has been prototyping this new Instagram update since last year, and the launch was certainly pushed forward in response to #CoronavirusOutbreak. The new Insta feature accompanies a ‘Stay Home’ sticker, tips to stay safe, donation stickers & other promotional social distancing stickers”.
We hope Instagram’s efforts to fix ‘time-spending’ problems during isolation gets resolved to some extent. Now you certainly don’t’ have to scroll the Insta feed alone. Stuff line Quarantine Parties, Rap Battles & Sing-Along activities have proven that technology can bring us together for better!
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