How to Make Money on Instagram: Requirements and Steps

Instagram is one of the most used apps in the world, so it’s no surprise people ask: can you really make money on Instagram? What are the requirements? And does Instagram pay for views the way YouTube does? This guide covers every genuine way to earn on Instagram, the requirements for each, how to switch them on, realistic expectations and the scams to avoid.

Does Instagram pay for views?

This is the key point: Instagram doesn’t automatically pay every creator for views the way the YouTube Partner Program does. Direct earnings from the platform come through specific tools such as Gifts and Subscriptions, while performance-based Reels bonuses are invite-only and available in limited countries.

That’s why most Instagram creators earn mainly from brand deals, affiliate marketing and selling their own products or services.

Instagram monetization requirements

Before any specific tool, Instagram generally requires:

1. A professional account (creator or business).
2. Age 18 or over for most monetization tools.
3. Living in an eligible country for the tool you want.
4. Following the Partner Monetization Policies and Community Guidelines: original content, and no bought followers or fake engagement.

Ways to make money on Instagram and their requirements

Method	Common requirements	How you earn
Gifts on Reels	Professional account, 18+, about 500 followers, eligible country	Viewers buy “Stars” and send them to you as gifts
Subscriptions	Professional account, 18+, about 10,000 followers, eligible country	A monthly fee for subscriber-only content
Badges in Live	Professional account and similar requirements, eligible country	Followers buy badges during your live streams
Branded content	Professional account and the branded content policies	Companies pay you to promote their products
Affiliate marketing	No Instagram follower minimum	A commission on every sale through your link
Your own products or services	No minimum	Sell a course, design or service directly to your audience

Important: the figures above are the most widely reported requirements at the time of writing, but Meta changes requirements and eligible countries from time to time. The real authority is the Professional dashboard in your own app.

How to turn on Instagram monetization, step by step

1. Switch to a professional account in Settings.
2. Open your Professional dashboard.
3. Go to Monetization status to see whether your account is eligible and which requirements are missing.
4. Turn on the tools available to you, such as Gifts or Subscriptions.
5. Add a payout account and any tax details required to receive your earnings.

If a tool doesn’t appear even though you have enough followers, it’s usually not available in your country yet, or your account has broken a policy.

Making money on Instagram where tools aren’t available

Many direct-earning tools aren’t available everywhere, which is why searches like “Instagram monetization in my country” are so common. But the indirect routes work almost anywhere:

• Local brand deals: restaurants, shops and young brands look for creators with an engaged local audience, even a small one.
• Affiliate marketing: put your link in your bio or in Stories.
• Selling your services: design, photography or account management, with Instagram as your portfolio.

Did you know? Many brands care more about engagement rate than follower count. An account with 5,000 real, engaged followers in one city can be worth more to a local shop than one with 100,000 fake followers.

Tips to grow your account and earnings

• Pick a clear niche: cooking, tech, local travel, education. A focused audience is easier to market to.
• Focus on Reels, which reach the most non-followers.
• Post consistently and study your insights to see what works.
• Disclose ads with the “Paid partnership” label. Instagram’s policies require it, and so do the laws of many countries.
• Share your content on more than one platform, such as TikTok and Facebook, to diversify your income.

Scams to watch out for

• Buying followers or engagement: it breaks the rules, can cost you monetization for good, and never brings real customers.
• Anyone charging to “activate monetization” for you: nobody can do that for a fee. It only happens inside the app.
• “You’ve won a verification badge” messages: usually attempts to steal your account. Don’t click their links or share your login code.

Frequently asked questions

How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?

It depends on the tool: Gifts usually start at about 500 followers and Subscriptions at about 10,000, while affiliate marketing and selling services need no minimum.

Can you make money on Instagram from views?

Not automatically for every account. View-based bonuses are invite-only and limited to certain countries, and Gifts depend on viewers choosing to send them, not just view counts.

How do I know if my account is eligible for monetization?

Open your Professional dashboard, then Monetization status. It shows the tools available to you and any violations blocking you.

How much do Instagram creators earn?

There’s no fixed figure. Income depends on your niche, audience, engagement and the deals you land. For most people it starts small and grows slowly with consistency.

Key takeaway

You can make money on Instagram, but it usually comes from branded content, affiliate marketing and selling services more than direct payment for views. Start with a professional account, check Monetization status in your dashboard, and build a real, engaged audience. For more ideas, read our guide to the best ways to make money online.