InstaLiveWeb: Instagram Live Dashboard

Introduction

An Instagram Live Third-Party Platform to provides you with a RTMP server and stream key for streaming using software like OBS-Studio.

Problems

Instagram did not provide RTMP for user to stream outside Instagram Client. This limitation prevented content creators from:

• Using professional streaming software
• Streaming from desktop computers
• Utilizing advanced streaming features like overlays, multiple cameras, and screen sharing
• Managing live comments and viewers from a central dashboard

Solution

We reverse engineered the Instagram API to get the RTMP from the Instagram Server, and we created a dashboard for it so user can easily use and manage it. This solution enables professional content creators to leverage their existing streaming setup while reaching their Instagram audience.

Key Features

Streaming Capabilities

• RTMP Server Generation: Automatically generates RTMP server URL and stream key
• OBS Integration: Seamless integration with OBS-Studio and other streaming software
• Broadcast Control: Start and stop broadcasts directly from the dashboard

Live Management

• Live Comments: Real-time display of viewer comments
• Live Viewers: Track current viewer count and engagement
• Instagram Login: Secure authentication with your Instagram account
• OTP Handler: Automatic handling of Instagram's two-factor authentication

User Experience

• Intuitive Dashboard: Clean and easy-to-use interface
• Real-time Updates: Live updates for comments and viewer metrics
• Responsive Design: Works on desktop and mobile devices

Technology Stack

Backend

• Python - Core programming language
• Flask - Web framework
• Flask-WTF - Form handling and validation
• Flask-Session - Session management

Frontend

• JavaScript - Client-side functionality
• HTML/SCSS - Markup and styling
• jQuery - DOM manipulation
• Ajax - Asynchronous requests

Infrastructure

• Heroku - Cloud hosting platform
• Instagram Private API - Reverse-engineered Instagram endpoints

Technical Implementation

The project involved several technical challenges:

1. API Reverse Engineering: Carefully analyzing Instagram's private API to understand RTMP stream generation
2. Authentication Flow: Implementing secure Instagram login with OTP support
3. Real-time Communication: Building WebSocket connections for live comments and viewer updates
4. Stream Management: Handling RTMP server allocation and stream lifecycle

Screenshots

Dashboard Interface

Impact

InstaLiveWeb revolutionized how content creators stream to Instagram by:

• Enabling professional-quality streams with advanced software features
• Providing better engagement tools through the live comment dashboard
• Allowing desktop streaming for the first time
• Supporting multi-camera and screen sharing capabilities

The platform served thousands of content creators who wanted to elevate their Instagram Live experience beyond mobile-only limitations.