Want to make extra cash from Instagram?
It’s frustrating watching influencers make thousands per post on Instagram while we struggle just to get our follower count up. We all dream of landing those big sponsorships that let us travel and eat amazing food, but it’s tough to know when your account is ready to start earning.
The first thing people and brands often look at to judge your influence is your follower count since it’s right there for everyone to see. Still, there’s no magic number of followers you need to start making money in 2024; it’s different for each influencer and niche.
Turning your love for creating content into money takes some planning and knowing who your audience is. But as your followers grow, so does your chance to earn real money from your posts.
Keep reading to find out how many followers you need to start getting paid on Instagram and tips for growing your followers.
How Do People Make Money on Instagram?
Instagram doesn’t pay you directly for views or followers. Instead, you can make money by:
- Using Instagram’s tools like Shopping, Subscriptions, and Ads
- Working with brands to post sponsored content
- Sharing affiliate links that earn you a commission when someone buys through your link
Most influencers use all these methods and grow a large, active following to make money. However, anyone with a Business or Creator account can try to monetize their profile.
If you can’t use Instagram’s built-in tools, you can still earn by sending followers to other platforms like your website or YouTube. So, having a big following can really help if you want to make money on Instagram.
How Many Followers Are Necessary on Instagram to Get Paid?
Most businesses need investors to make a profit, and as a creator, your “investors” are your Instagram followers.
With around 1,000 followers, you can start using Instagram’s monetization tools to earn some income. More followers generally mean more money.
Some Instagram programs do have a follower requirement. For example, to use features like Badges and Subscriptions, you’ll need at least 10,000 followers. Paid sponsorships don’t have a set follower count, but you’ll need to include products in your posts as brands request.
So, while there’s no exact number of followers needed to start making money on Instagram, more followers open up more earning options, especially if you have between 1,000 and 10,000 followers.
How Much Does Instagram Pay?
Influencers having 1,000 to 10,000 followers make about $1,400 a month. On the contrary, those with more than a million followers can make around $15,300 monthly. Even with about 5,000 followers, some influencers make close to $100,000 a year.
But followers are just the start.
Earnings also depend on how engaged your followers are. You need them to click ads, watch branded videos, or follow links to platforms like YouTube, where you can earn more.
Here are some ways to boost your income on Instagram:
- Become a brand ambassador – Many influencers work with 1-3 brands at once, earning from posts or a monthly paycheck.
- Promote yourself – You could promote your products, website, or services like Patreon.
- Monetize your videos – You can earn 55% of ad revenue from ads in live or posted videos, paid monthly.
- Offer discount codes or sponsored posts – Sponsored posts can pay $100 or more per post, and some influencers make over $2,000.
- Become an affiliate – Instagram’s Affiliate Marketing program lets you earn money through product links in Stories, posts, and Reels.
Does Instagram Pay for Likes?
No, Instagram doesn’t pay you just for likes. But more likes and engagement make your posts show up more on people’s feeds. This can lead to chances for making money, like reaching 10,000 views so you can unlock features like Instagram’s Subscriptions.
How Much Does Instagram Pay for 1,000 Views?
Instagram doesn’t pay per view, but data shows beginner influencers generally earn like this:
- Nano influencers (1,000–10,000 followers): $10–$100 per post
- Micro influencers (10,000–50,000 followers): $100–$500 per post
How Much Does Instagram Pay for 1 Million Views?
Again, Instagram doesn’t pay by views, but for influencers with more followers, typical earnings are:
- Mid-tier influencers (50,000–500,000 followers): $500–$5,000 per post
- Macro influencers (500,000–1 million followers): $5,000–$10,000 per post
- Mega influencers (over 1 million followers): $10,000–$1 million+ per post
