How to Make Money on Instagram: Complete Guide

Digital Marketing Expert Simone Masiero explains how creators earn money on Instagram, and how you can, too

Co-authored by Simone Masiero and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: May 6, 2026 Fact Checked

• Creating Branded Content
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• Using Instagram Gifts
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• Using Badges
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• Using Ads on Reels or Profile
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• Using Instagram Subscriptions
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• Creating an Instagram Shop
|
• Earning Bonuses
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• Tips for Success
|
• Troubleshooting
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• What Are Some Ways You Can Monetize Instagram?
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Instagram isn’t just for posting pretty pictures and chatting with friends. It is an incredibly popular social media platform where creative people can leverage their talents for a large following. With a large enough following, you can even monetize your content and earn some money from Instagram. This wikiHow article teaches you how to monetize your content on Instagram with exclusive expert tips from social media and digital marketing specialists.

How to Monetize Instagram

Digital marketing expert Simone Masiero says to build your content around your brand offers. Partner with brands to create paid partnership content. Enable gifts and badges to earn money from your followers. Start a subscription to offer content for a monthly price, or enable ads on your reels or your profile page.

Steps

Section 1 of 9:

Creating Branded Content

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the requirements. Branded content allows creators to partner with brands and post content that endorses their brand partners. You receive compensation for posting branded content. You must meet the following requirements to have access to branded content:

   • You must have a professional (Business or Creator) account. Creating a professional account is easy. If you’re not sure how to do it, check out our guide.
   • You must be 18 years or older.
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy.
   • Comply with the Community Guidelines.
2. 
   2
   Turn on branded content tools. Before you can start making branded content, you’ll need to enable this option in your professional dashboard. To do so:

   • Log in to your Instagram page.
   • Tap your profile icon.
   • Tap the ☰ Menu icon at the top right corner of the page.
   • Tap Account type and tools. It’s under the For professionals header. If you don’t see this section, double-check that you have a professional (Business or Creator) account set up.
   • Tap Branded content. It’s under the Your core tools header.
   • Select Set up branded content tools. It’s at the top of the menu, under Status.
   • The next page will tell you if you’re eligible for paid partnerships. If so, review the rules for maintaining eligibility, then tap Enable.
     • If you’re not eligible, request a review.
   • Tap Done.
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3. 
   3
   Join the Creator Marketplace (if available). This option is not available to all accounts or in all regions. If you don’t see this option in the professional dashboard, this feature is not available to you yet. Use the following steps to join the creator marketplace:

   • Go to your profile and select ☰ > Account type and tools > Branded content.
     • Alternatively, go to your profile, tap Professional dashboard at the top, and select Branded content.
   • If available, tap the option to Join creator marketplace. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the process.
   • Use the tools in the marketplace to make yourself more visible to brands. For example, you can set up a portfolio and list your brand interests (such as “beauty” or “pets”).
     • While you can still create branded content even without joining the creator marketplace, joining will make it easier for potential brand partners to discover you.
4. 
   4
   Find brands to partner with. You can select brands that you would like to partner with in the professional dashboard. If the brands you select are interested in partnering with you, they will contact you. According to social media and marketing consultant Candace Gasper, you can also find PR emails for most brands by doing a quick Google search if you’d rather reach out that way. Use the following steps to select brands you’d like to partner with on Instagram:

   • Go to your profile and select ☰ > Account type and tools > Branded content.
     • Alternatively, go to your profile, tap Professional dashboard at the top, and select Branded content.
   • Tap Request approval from brand partners to ask brands for blanket permission to tag them in branded content. If you choose this option, you can search for the specific brands you want to partner with, then tap Request next to the brand in the search results.
     • Before attempting this approach, it might be a good idea to reach out to the brands you’re interested in over email or DM.
   • If you’re a member of the creator marketplace, you can tap Preferred brand partners and select brands you’re interested in partnering with. Brands that participate in this program will see you listed in the Interested creators area of their dashboard and will be able to reach out to you if they are open to a partnership.
5. 
   5
   Tag a brand in a post or reel. Masiero explains that it’s vital to build content that reflects what you and your brand partners are offering. Once you have brands that you are partnering with, create relevant posts advertising their products and services. Tag the brand in the post or reel to create a paid partnership ad. You can use the following steps to tag the brand in a post:

   • Create a new post or reel and tap Next.
   • Tap More options.
   • Select Partnership label & ads under the Ads and monetization header.
   • Tap Add paid partnership label.
   • Search for the brand you want to tag and select Add. If you see a message asking if you want to request approval to add the brand as a partner, tap Continue.
     • If the brand already gave you approval to tag them in branded content, you can skip requesting approval after adding them. Otherwise, they will have to approve the request for each individual post.
     • If you want, you can also toggle on the Get partnership ad code option in the Partnership label & ads menu. This will generate a code after you complete your post. You can send the code to your partner, and they can use it to boost your post.
   • Tap Next and follow the instructions to finish making and posting your branded post or reel.
6. 
   6
   Tag a brand partner in a story. Use the following steps to tag a brand partner in a story:

   • Start creating a new story on Instagram.
   • Once you’ve selected a photo or video (or recorded a video), tap the Partnerships & ads icon on the right side of the screen. You might need to expand the list of icons to see it.
   • Tap Add paid partnership label.
   • Search for the brand you want to tag and select Add. If you see a message asking if you want to request approval to add the brand as a partner, tap Continue.
     • If the brand already gave you approval to tag them in branded content, you can skip requesting approval after adding them. Otherwise, they will have to approve the request for each individual Story.
     • If you want, you can also toggle on the Get partnership ad code option in the Partnership label & ads menu. This will generate a code after you complete your Story. You can send the code to your partner, and they can use it to boost your Story as an ad.
   • Tap Next and follow the instructions to finish making and posting your branded story.
7. 
   7
   Tag a brand partner in a live. Use the following steps to tag a brand partner in a live:

   • Start setting up a live broadcast.
   • Tap the Details icon (it looks like a series of lines of different lengths) on the left side of the screen.
   • Select Add brand partners.
   • Select the brand partner(s) you would like to add. You must already have blanket tagging permission from a brand to tag them in a live broadcast (see step 4). Then, tap Next.
   • Finish setting up your live and begin broadcasting.
8. 
   8
   Add a paid partnership label to a broadcast message. Use the following steps to add a paid partnership label to a broadcast channel message.

   • Post a new message in your broadcast channel.
   • Tap and hold the message.
   • Tap Paid partnership.
   • Tap the toggle switch next to "Add paid partnership label."
   • Tap Done.
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Section 2 of 9:

Using Instagram Gifts

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the requirements for Instagram Gifts. Instagram Gifts are a way for Instagram users to send you a virtual gift to show their appreciation. For example, viewers of your reels can send you stars. You will earn $0.01 per star you receive on a reel. If you meet the requirements, Instagram Gifts will be turned on automatically. However, you can always turn them on or off in your professional dashboard. You’ll also need to set up a payout account in order to actually receive any gift money. The requirements are as follows:

   • You must have a professional (Business or Creator) account.
   • You must be 18 years or older.
   • You must have at least 500 followers.
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy.
   • You must live in a country or region where Gifts are available.
   • Comply with the Community Guidelines.
   • Agree to the Gifts Creator Terms.
   • Accounts primarily geared towards children are not eligible for Instagram Gifts.
2. 
   2
   Set up your Gifts payout information in the Professional Dashboard. To manage your gift settings (and make sure you’re actually able to receive money), go to your profile and tap Professional dashboard. Scroll down and tap Gifts under Your tools.

   • Check under the Status header to make sure you are eligible. Tap your status for more information.
   • Make sure the toggle next to “Allow gifts on reels” is switched on.
   • Tap Start earning from gifts under the Next steps header. You’ll see a checklist of your eligibility requirements. If you meet all the requirements, tap Continue. Follow the prompts to set up your payout account.
     • You’ll need to provide information such as your full legal name, your date of birth, the type of business you own, your home address, and your bank account number or PayPal account information.
     • You’ll also need to provide tax information.
   • Once you’ve finished setting up your payout information, you’ll see your earnings under the Insights header in the Gifts menu.
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Section 3 of 9:

Using Badges

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the requirements for badges. During live videos, viewers can purchase badges, which will appear next to their name in the comments. This also gives them access to special features. They will be placed on a list of badge holders for the creator and have access to a special heart during live videos. To enable badges, you must meet the following requirements:

   • You must be 18 years old.
   • You must have a professional (Business or Creator) account.
   • You must have 10,000 followers.
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy.
   • Comply with the Community Guidelines.
2. 
   2
   Go to your professional dashboard. If you have a creator or business account, you can access your professional dashboard by going to your profile in the Instagram app and tapping Professional Dashboard at the top.
3. 
   3
   Apply for monetization (if needed). If you haven’t already done so, you will need to apply for monetization. You can check the status of your application in the professional dashboard. Use the following steps to apply for monetization:

   • Tap Apply for Monetization in the professional dashboard.
   • Fill out the applications.
   • Tap Submit application.
4. 
   4
   Enable badges. Once you apply for monetization, you can enable badges in the professional dashboard. To do so, tap Set up badges and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need to review and accept the terms and then select the country you live in. Then you will need to select whether you are an individual or a business. If you are a business, you will need to provide legal and tax information to prove that you are the business owner. Then you will need to add a bank account or PayPal as a payout method. Tap Done when you are finished.
5. 
   5
   Go Live. Viewers can purchase badges during your live streams on Instagram. You will get a share of the revenue.

   • If you want to turn badges off for a particular video, you can tap the icon with three dots (⋯) at the bottom of the video. Then tap Turn off badges.
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Section 4 of 9:

Using Ads on Reels or Profile

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the qualifications. Ads on Reels or Ads on Profile is a way you can share in the ad revenue from ads that play during reels or while scrolling through your profile. The amount of ad revenue you receive is based on the number of views your reels get. To be eligible for these features, you must meet the following requirements:

   • You must be 18 years old.
   • You must have a professional (Business or Creator) account.
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy.
   • You must live in the United States, Canada, South Korea, or Japan.
2. 
   2
   Receive an invitation. Currently, the Ads on Reels and Ads on Profile programs are only available by invitation. If you are invited to participate, you will receive a notification, or you will see the invitation at the top of your profile.
3. 
   3
   Tap Set Up in the invitation. When you receive an invitation, you should see a button that says Set Up in the invitation. Alternatively, you can find the option to monetize ads on reels or your profile in your professional dashboard at the top of your Instagram profile.
4. 
   4
   Tap Get Started. You will see a large blue button at the bottom of the notification. Tap it to get started.
5. 
   5
   Tap Get Started again. This page explains how the Ads on Reels and Ads on Profile work. It also explains what videos are not eligible for monetization. Read through the information and tap Get Started at the bottom.
6. 
   6
   Tap the toggle switch to enable monetization and tap Continue. There will be a toggle switch on the page that says “Monetize ads on Profile” or “Monetize ads on Reels”. Tap it to enable it, then tap Continue at the bottom.
7. 
   7
   Tap Done. It’s the large blue button at the bottom of the page. You have now enabled monetization for the ads on your reels or profile page.
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Section 5 of 9:

Using Instagram Subscriptions

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the requirements. With Instagram Subscriptions, you can create a paid subscription that followers can subscribe to for exclusive content. This includes lives, stories, reels, posts, badges, social channels, and broadcast channels. You can set your own price. To create an Instagram subscription, you must meet the following requirements:

   • You must be 18 years old.
   • You must have a professional (Business or Creator) account.
   • You must have 10,000 followers.
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy.
   • Comply with the Community Guidelines.
   • Live in a country where subscriptions are available.
2. 
   2
   Open the professional dashboard. You’ll see it at the top of your profile.
3. 
   3
   Tap Monetization. It’s under the Tools to set up header. You might need to scroll down.
4. 
   4
   Tap Subscriptions. If you’re eligible for Subscriptions, you can tap this option to set up subscriptions. If you don’t meet the criteria, you’ll see it under the Not yet eligible header. You can still tap it to learn more.
5. 
   5
   Follow the prompts to set up subscriptions. Set your monthly price and tap Publish. Tap Done on the confirmation screen. Manage your subscription and find the next steps by going to Subscription Settings in your professional dashboard.

   • If you haven’t already done so, you might need to set up a payout account to get subscription payments. Tap Payouts in your professional dashboard to get started.
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Section 6 of 9:

Creating an Instagram Shop

1. 
   1
   Make sure you meet the requirements. Instagram shops allow you to connect a product catalog to your Instagram account and promote and sell products directly from your Instagram page. You can add tags in your posts that link to your products. To set up an Instagram shop, you must meet the following requirements:

   • You must have a business account.
   • You must live in an area where the market is supported.
   • You must have a Facebook business page for your store.
   • You must have an eligible product to sell (not a service).
   • You must have an eCommerce domain that you plan to sell from.
   • You must adhere to Instagram’s Commerce policy and Seller agreement.
2. 
   2
   Link your Instagram business page to your Facebook business page. Use the following steps to do so:

   • Log in to Instagram and tap your Profile icon.
   • Tap Edit Profile.
   • Tap Connect or Create next to “Page.”
   • Select your Facebook business page, or tap Create a new Facebook page and follow the prompts to create a new Facebook page.
3. 
   3
   Go to the Facebook Shops page and click Get Started. Go to www.facebook.com/business/shops in a web browser and click or tap Get Started.
4. 
   4
   Click Add products. Log in to Facebook if prompted to do so. Once you are on the business shop page, tap Add products.

   • If you don’t have an Ads Manager account through Facebook, you might be prompted to set one up before you start adding products.
5. 
   5
   Follow the prompts to set up your catalog. On the next page, you’ll be prompted to fill out a form with information about your store. Select the best category for your products (e.g., “Online products” or “Physical products”) and toggle on the switch to link to a partner platform if you have an e-commerce service (like Shopify). Select your business portfolio (i.e., your Facebook business page) and make sure “Give people access” is turned on. Give your catalog a name, then click Next. Follow the prompts to add information about how you’ll add products to your store. You’ll be directed to the Commerce Manager page.
6. 
   6
   Click Add Account. It’s at the top right corner of the Commerce Manager page.
7. 
   7
   Click Create Shop and select your e-commerce platform. In the window that pops up, select your e-commerce platform (such as Shopify or Magento). Click Next.
8. 
   8
   Select your Instagram account under the Sales Channel header. When you’re done, click Next.
9. 
   9
   Follow the prompts to finish creating your store. Next, you’ll be prompted to select your catalog (or create a new one) and provide information about your business (such as your contact information and links to pages with your return policy information). Finally, check the box agreeing to Meta’s terms and conditions. When you’re done, click Submit for review.

   • The review process may take up to 4 weeks.
10. 
    10
    Set up your shop. Once you get approved, you can manage your shop from the Commerce Manager page. Use the tools on this page to:

    • Select or change your product catalog.
    • Create a shipping profile.
    • Add a checkout URL (this will redirect customers to an external store website where they can complete the checkout process).
    • Optimize your shop using Meta’s automated tools. This will allow you to do things like automatically display customer ratings and special offers.
    • When you’re done, click Publish Shop.
11. 
    11
    Create ads for your products. Once you’ve created your shop, you can create shoppable ads for your Instagram feed. Here’s how to do it:

    • Open the Meta Ads Manager page in a web browser.
    • Select Sales as your ad objective, then click Continue. Make sure to toggle off Advantage+ catalog ads for the campaign.
    • Under Conversion, select Website.
    • Under Ad creative, choose Set up creative and select Image ad or Video ad.
    • Go to Extension > Products and select your catalog. Choose the product set you want to advertise.
    • Under the Enhancement header, toggle on Add product tags. Click Customize.
    • Use the Product dropdown to select the product you want to tag. You can select + Tag another product to tag multiple products, if you like.
    • Click Save. Finish setting up your ad, then click Publish.
    • You can also turn an existing post into a shoppable ad.
12. 
    12
    Sell products without creating an Instagram shop (optional). If you have an online store and you don’t feel like setting up a shop through Facebook and Instagram, you can still create posts on Instagram featuring product details and use them to direct customers to your store! Here’s how to do it:

    • Start creating a post as you normally would. Make sure the post contains information about the product you’re trying to sell.
    • Tap ••• More options when you get to the final page of the post creation process. You’ll need to scroll down to the very bottom of the page.
    • Select Add product details under the Ads and monetization header.
    • Add a name and price for your product, then tap Done. Finish creating your post.
    • To add product details to a Story, select Get Orders from the Sticker menu. Add pricing details and tap Done. Place the sticker where you want it on your story, then share the story.
    • If someone requests order information based on your post or story, you’ll get a notification in your DMs. You can accept order requests and manage orders through the chat.
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Section 7 of 9:

Earning Bonuses

1. 
   1
   Meet the requirements for earning bonuses. Bonuses are a new feature that Meta is currently testing, so this option might not be available to you. Bonuses allow eligible accounts to earn money twice a month based on engagement. To be eligible for bonuses, you must:

   • Have a professional account (business or creator).
   • Meet Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policy requirements.
   • Live in a country or region where bonuses are available.
   • Create and share original content.
   • Be at least 18 years old.
   • Have received at least 5 million views per month on your photo and carousel posts over the last 3 months.
2. 
   2
   Enable bonuses in your professional dashboard. If you’re eligible to get bonuses, you’ll need to enable them. Here’s how:

   • Go to your profile and tap Professional dashboard.
   • Tap the gear-shaped settings icon at the top right and select Bonuses, or go to Monetization > Bonuses in the main Professional dashboard menu.
   • Follow the prompts on-screen and tap Activate bonus.
   • If you haven’t already set up a payout account, you’ll have to do so before you can get any bonus money. Follow the prompts to do so when you enable bonuses.
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Section 8 of 9:

General Tips for Success

1. 
   1
   Post high-quality images and videos. If you want to use Instagram to make money, it’s important to make your content as polished and professional as possible. This will not only attract more followers, but it will also make you more appealing to potential brand partners. Social media expert Ben Whitehair recommends using professionally edited videos and high-resolution photos whenever you can.
2. 
   2
   Update on a regular schedule. Posting content on a consistent schedule will help keep your followers engaged and your momentum growing. Gasper recommends putting together a content calendar and planning out your upcoming posts in advance.
3. 
   3
   Create content that’s consistent with your brand. Whitehair advises choosing three key types of content to focus on. Stick to topics that are relevant to your brand and interesting to you personally. Cycling through a few different topics or types of posts will keep your content varied and interesting, but will also give your followers and potential brand partners a sense of what to expect from you.

   • For example, if you have a fitness-themed Instagram account, you might alternate between outdoor photos from your favorite hiking spots, videos featuring exercise tips, and reviews of sportswear brands.
4. 
   4
   Engage with potential followers or customers. According to marketing specialist Melissa Rodriguez, interacting directly with Instagram users is a great way to build your following. Follow other accounts that are similar to yours, since they are likely to attract the same people who might be interested in your account. Chat with potential followers in the comments, follow them, and like or leave comments on their posts.

   • Just make sure to keep your interactions authentic and sincere! Avoid spamming people, begging for engagement, or sending cold DMs advertising your account or business.
5. 
   5
   Be assertive when reaching out to potential partners. If you’re having trouble connecting to potential brand partners, don’t give up! Even if you don’t have a ton of followers, you might still be able to attract a sponsorship or brand partner. Gasper recommends reaching out to as many brands as possible. If you don’t get a response, she says it’s okay to wait a few weeks and then send a follow-up.
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Section 9 of 9:

Troubleshooting

1. 1
   Why can’t I enable monetization tools on my account? There are several different reasons you might be having trouble accessing or enabling monetization tools. Always check the following:

   • Make sure you have a professional account (either creator or business). Most of Instagram’s monetization tools are not available for personal accounts.
   • Check that you meet the other requirements for monetization. These include things like being at least 18 years of age, posting and sharing original content, and following Instagram’s community guidelines. Some monetization tools are only available if you have a certain number of followers or meet a certain threshold for engagement on your posts.
   • Make sure the feature you’re interested in is available in your region.
   • Check if there are any restrictions on your account. For example, if you have an unpaid ad campaign balance, that could interfere with your ability to set up a shop through the Meta Commerce Manager.
2. 2
   Can I still make money if I don’t qualify for Instagram’s monetization tools? Yes, you can still use Instagram to earn money indirectly. For example, you can use your content to drive traffic to an external shop or other source of revenue. If you have a professional account, you can also use the Boost Post feature to turn your posts into ads and get them in front of a wider audience (but be aware that there is a fee for doing this).

   • Check out our guide to Making Money on Instagram for more ideas!
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