Instagram used to pay for views through its Reels Play Bonus program, which launched in 2021. That initiative allowed selected creators to earn payouts based on performance. But officially, Instagram no longer pays creators directly for views. The bonus program came to a stop in early 2023.

That bonus scheme was Instagram’s way of rewarding short-form video creators. It was invite-only, with personalized caps, some small creators saw offers around $1,000 for a million views, while large accounts could earn up to $35,000.

But it wasn’t a flat rate per view, and Instagram never made the calculation method public. The last of those offers wrapped up after March 2023.

Now, creators are working with a very different system. You can still make money from Reels, but it’s no longer about hitting a view count.

It’s about how you use those views to land partnerships, sell products, or drive affiliate sales. In this article, we’ll walk through how creators are doing that right now.

Can You Still Make Money from Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t pay you per view anymore, but yes, you can absolutely still earn money from your content.

The app now offers several monetization features aimed at creators who consistently publish Reels, go live, or engage closely with their followers.

Instead of passive payouts for views, you now earn based on performance, engagement, and community support.

Here are the most reliable ways to make money on Instagram:

Reels Ad Revenue Sharing

Instagram places short ads between Reels, and eligible creators get a cut based on how their content performs. It’s not a fixed CPM (cost per 1,000 views) model; instead, payouts vary depending on ad engagement, viewer retention, and region.

This performance-based model means two creators with the same number of views might earn very different amounts.

Reported earnings fall anywhere between $0.50 and $50 per 200,000 views, which breaks down to about $0.0025 to $0.25 per view. A million-view Reel might earn $5 to $250, depending on those factors.

Instagram Gifts

This feature lets your fans tip you with “Stars” on Reels. Stars are Instagram’s virtual currency; viewers buy them and send them as animated gifts during or after watching a Reel. You earn $0.01 per Star, and Instagram pays you in real cash once you hit the payout threshold.

Live Badges

Badges are Instagram’s tipping feature for Live streams. When you go live, your followers can buy badges to support you in real time. These badges appear next to their name in the chat and come in three price tiers: $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99. Viewers can buy multiple badges in a single session (up to $250 per person).

Instagram doesn’t take a cut during its promo phase, so creators keep 100% of that revenue (minus app store fees). You’ll need a Creator account and, in most cases, around 10,000 followers to unlock Live monetization.

It’s a solid option if you already have an engaged audience and enjoy live interaction. Some creators report making hundreds to over $1,000 in a week, especially when they promote their Lives ahead of time.

Paid Subscriptions

Subscriptions are one of Instagram’s most promising monetization tools. You can set a monthly price, anything from $0.99 to $99.99, and offer exclusive content just for paying fans.

This can include private Reels, Stories, Lives, and group chats. Subscribers get a special badge on their profile so you can easily identify and interact with them.

Instagram currently lets creators keep 100% of the subscription income (excluding taxes and app fees). It’s available in the U.S. and many other countries. You need to be 18+, follow Instagram’s rules, and typically have at least 10,000 followers.

But you don’t need to be a big influencer to start, some creators earn thousands per month with just a few hundred loyal subscribers. It’s best for creators who post regularly and can offer content that feels worth paying for.

Off-Platform Income Opportunities via Instagram

Selling Your Own Products or Services

One of the most flexible ways to earn is by using Instagram as a storefront for your own product or service. You’re not waiting on payouts; you’re building a business. This could be anything from physical goods like merch, art prints, and handmade items to digital products like eBooks, courses, and presets.

If you sell physical products, you can set up an Instagram Shop that links to your product catalog through Meta’s Commerce Manager. That lets you tag products in Reels, feed posts, and Stories so followers can tap and buy instantly.

Affiliate Links and Discount Codes

Affiliate marketing is another smart way to earn without needing to create your own product or land a big brand deal. You partner with a brand, share a special link or promo code, and get paid when your followers buy something through it.

You can join affiliate programs through networks like or work directly with brands that offer referral codes. Once approved, you’ll get a unique link or code.

Then, you just create content around that product, like a Reel, Story, or feed post, and direct your followers to the link in bio or use the code at checkout.

The payouts vary:

✔️ Most affiliate rates fall between 5% and 30% per sale

✔️ Some programs offer up to 50% for digital products or subscriptions

✔️ A $100 product at 10% commission = $10 per sale

✔️ 200 purchases = $2,000 earned from one post

It’s scalable too. Older posts or Highlights with evergreen links can keep earning long after you post them. Just be sure to disclose affiliate content with tags like #affiliate or #ad as this keeps things transparent and builds trust.

Brand Sponsorships and Paid Collaborations

Sponsored content is still the most common way creators make serious income. These are direct deals with brands to promote their products or services on your account. Think paid Reels, Stories, feed posts, or Lives with the “Paid Partnership” tag.

You can negotiate flat rates per post, product gifting with commission, or full campaigns, depending on your reach and niche. A micro-influencer might charge $500 to $2,000 per post, while someone with 100K+ followers could charge $8K to $20K or more. Big names often earn $40K to $90K+ per post.

There’s no follower minimum, but brands care about engagement and audience fit. If your content speaks to a specific group, like skincare lovers, new moms, or budget travelers, you’ve got selling power.

Instagram doesn’t pay for views anymore, but that hasn’t stopped creators from turning content into income. The ones earning today aren’t waiting around; they’re building reach, staying consistent, and putting their content in front of the right audience.

If you’re posting but not getting seen, the issue isn’t effort;  it’s exposure. And that’s fixable. Bulkoid gives you real Instagram growth so your Reels, posts, and Stories actually reach people who engage.

We don’t inflate numbers with junk traffic or fake engagement. We provide you with real followers who stick, views that count, likes from actual users, and comments that boost your visibility.

Check out our Instagram services and give your account the kind of growth that opens doors to real money-making opportunities.