How to make money on Instagram in 2026: every tool and requirement

The biggest money on Instagram comes from brand deals, which have no follower minimum. Instagram’s own tools add to that: gifts on Reels from 500 followers, Meta’s creator marketplace (check the app for its requirements), subscriptions from 10,000, and Live badges. You need a professional (creator or business) account and to be 18 or over for most of them. Here’s every option, with the requirements as of October 2026.

1. Brand deals

Brands pay you to feature their products in Reels, posts and Stories. There’s no follower minimum, and it’s the biggest earner for most Instagram creators. Use the paid partnership label on every branded post and put “Ad” at the start of the caption too (#ad rules). If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian usually needs to agree the deal.

• What to charge: Instagram sponsored post rates
• How to land them: how to get brand deals

2. Meta’s creator marketplace

Brands search the marketplace for creators to book. Requirements: 18+ and a professional account; check the app for any follower minimum. Availability varies by country (Instagram Help). Fill in your profile fully: brands filter by niche and audience.

3. Subscriptions

Followers pay monthly for exclusive Reels, Stories, Lives and chats. Requirements: professional account, 10,000 followers, 18+. Available in the UK, US and many other countries (Instagram Help).

4. Gifts on Reels

Viewers buy Stars and send them as gifts on your Reels. Requirements: professional account, 18+, 500 followers and a payout account. Instagram pays $0.01 per Star (Instagram Help).

5. Live badges

Viewers buy badges during your Lives. Requirements: 18+ and a professional account in an eligible country; check the Professional dashboard for any follower minimum. Instagram takes no cut (app stores take about 30% of in-app purchases), and spending is capped at $250 per supporter per Live (Instagram Help).

6. Affiliate links and codes

Earn commission on sales through your links (in Stories, your bio or captions) and discount codes. Disclose affiliate content as an ad: see #ad rules.

7. Partnership ads

Brands run your content as ads through your handle. You should be paid for this on top of your post fee: see usage rights pricing.

8. Bonuses

Instagram runs invite-only bonus programmes in some countries. Check the Professional dashboard to see whether you’ve been invited (Instagram Help).

Requirements at a glance

Requirements vary by country and change often, so check the Professional dashboard in the app.

Getting there faster

• Switch to a professional account to see insights and monetisation tools.
• Grow with original Reels that people watch and send: see how to grow on Instagram.
• Make a media kit so brands can book you quickly.

Frequently asked questions

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

None for brand deals. Instagram’s own tools start at 500 followers (gifts on Reels) and 10,000 (subscriptions), and the creator marketplace has its own requirements. Thresholds vary by country and change, so check your Professional dashboard.

How much does Instagram pay creators?

Instagram doesn’t pay for views directly outside invite-only bonuses. Creators earn from brand deals, gifts ($0.01 per Star), badges and subscriptions. Brand deals are usually the biggest earner.

Do I need a professional account to make money on Instagram?

For Instagram’s monetisation tools, yes. A creator or business account also gives you the insights brands ask for.

How do Instagram gifts work?

Viewers buy Stars and send them on your Reels. Once you have 500 followers, a professional account, are 18+ and have set up payouts, Instagram pays $0.01 per Star. Check your Professional dashboard to see if you’re eligible.