An Instagram Reel is a video created by video creators to share creative and unique content with their audiences. These videos, which are similar to TikTok videos, can last up to 90 seconds. But in recent times, Instagram has been going all out to add more and more Reels features for creators to use. It recently added the Reels Play Bonus, which allows creators to earn money per reel view. Let’s go over all you should know about the Instagram monetization process and how to get paid for your reels, starting with the basics.
What Is the Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
It’s precisely what you’re thinking – how to get paid for Reels on Instagram and earn money directly from Instagram. In short, Instagram pays you for people watching your Reels based on the number of views they receive. As a creator, the more people who play them, the more money you can make.
Of course, you still need to get those views and plays, but if you’ve read this far, you should have some ideas on how to do so. And, with Instagram’s incentive for creators to earn money, you’ll be even more motivated to put these ideas into action for your content, right?
Who Is Eligible for an Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
The Instagram Reels Play bonus was created for smaller accounts and content creators looking to expand their reach and audience. And there are some eligibility requirements (which may change as the program evolves, so keep an eye on Instagram’s official channels as well):
- You must have fewer than a million Instagram followers.
- You must have a business or creator account.
- You must adhere to Instagram’s Partner Monetization policies.
- Your Reels should not contain branded content.
They can’t also use the marks or logos of other platforms (so no TikToks as Reels).
The engagement must be genuine, with no artificially boosted views from sponsored content or ads.
How Does the Reels Play Bonus Work?
When you are invited to the program, you must choose to participate to begin earning money for plays. The process is similar to other Creator tools in that you must prove you are the account owner and provide legal information.
Once activated, you will receive a payout for your reels after 30 days, during which you can select up to 150 Reels to count toward the bonus. The bonus does not apply to paid, sponsored, or partnership reels.
If you’re within the 24-hour window after publishing, you can go back and make Reels you’ve already published eligible for the bonus.
How Much Money Can You Make From the Instagram Reels Play Bonus?
After you’ve configured your bonuses, you can be paid for your Reels on a monthly basis using the following bonus options:
- Based on the performance of your reel. The amounts earned per one Reel play may vary. For example, you may earn more at first and less as your Reels are played more frequently.
- Depending on the number of Reels you make.
- Based on making a themed Reel in response to a prompt to make a Reel for a forthcoming holiday or moment.
Your professional account’s dashboard shows how much you earn on Instagram. In addition, you may be required to earn a minimum amount before being eligible for a payout within 30 days.
Because the program is still in its early stages, the rules are subject to change, and the amounts may differ for individual Instagram accounts. However, if you’re looking for specific numbers, you can go to this article, which dissects the Instagram Reels Play bonuses in detail using actual examples.
How to Make Money From Instagram Reels
Joining the app’s new bonus program, which aims to reward content creators, can earn you anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars monthly.
Even if you aren’t eligible for this program, Reels can help you promote your business and increase sales. If you don’t have a business, brand sponsorship and affiliate marketing can help you supplement your income. Let’s go over these methods in detail.
#1. Participate in the Instagram Reels Play Bonus Program
Regarding Reels, Instagram has stepped on the gas and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Things are about to get serious, as the platform has announced that eligible users will receive bonuses for creating and posting Reels. This probably sounds like a dream job if you’ve been doing that. Here’s how the procedure works.
Step One: Become Eligible for the Reels Play Bonus Program
First, you must register for Instagram’s bonus program. The program is still in its infancy and is only available in the United States. As of this writing, there is no way to initiate or apply for the program directly because it is invitation-only. However, there are a few requirements that users must meet.
- You must have fewer than a million Instagram followers.
- You must have a business or creator account.
- You must adhere to Instagram’s Partner Monetization policies.
- Your Reels should not contain branded content.
- You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the United States.
Eligible accounts will receive a notification in their app informing them they qualify for the program. You can also use the following method to see if bonuses are available.
- Navigate to your creator or business profile.
- Go to your Professional Dashboard.
- Bonuses can be found on the menu.
- To see if you’re eligible, click Get Started.
If you meet all of the requirements, but the option is still not available to you, keep checking back as it is being phased in.
Step 2: Enable the Bonus Program
Because your eligibility may expire, you must activate the bonus program as soon as you become eligible. It is simple to set up.
- Access your Professional Dashboard by opening your profile.
- Scroll to Bonuses and click Get Started.
- Read and accept the program’s Terms and Conditions.
- Choose your country, as well as whether you are an individual or a business owner. On the following screen, business owners must enter their tax information.
- Select your payment method. This can also be done later.
- Tap the Activate bonus button, then Done, and you’re all set.
Step Three: Meet the Goals
The real challenge begins once the Bonuses are set up. Instagram will assign you goals that you must complete by a specific date. These goals differ from account to account. You have 30 days from when the feature is activated to meet the goals and qualify for a payout.
The good news is that you can use up to 150 Reels to meet the set requirement over the next month. You can access your Professional Dashboard to see your progress toward the goal and the maximum payout you can expect.
Here are a few pointers to help you progress and ensure you can leverage the payout.
- Go to your Bonuses page and select Reels Play Bonus before posting a Reel.
- If you forget to select Reels Play Bonus ahead of time, you have up to 24 hours to do so.
- Remember that deleting a Reel will no longer count toward your goal.
- Avoid branded content because it is not permitted in the bonus program.
- Ensure you follow the terms and conditions because three Reel violations will result in your program eligibility being revoked for a set period.
If you follow all the rules and meet the goal, Instagram will send you an invoice on the 10th of the month and a payment on the 21st of the following month.
#2. Brand Collaboration
Because the Reels Play Bonus Program is still in its early stages, it may not be available to you even if your account checks all the boxes. Fortunately, short Instagram videos are just one of the ways to increase your revenue.
Collaboration with brands that want to leverage your account for exposure is another way to profit from Instagram Reels. Do you have a large following? Do you publish content in a specific niche? If you answered yes, some companies share your interests.
Influencer marketing is big right now, and it’s not just for accounts with millions of followers. Brands frequently prefer micro-influencers with fewer followers because they provide more authentic content.
How do you get brands to contact you about sponsoring you? There is no set formula for this. Submit your Instagram account to influencer platforms like Upfluence and NeoReach, which connect businesses with content creators.
When a company contacts you about collaborating, you’ll be required to post sponsored content for a fee. Sponsored content is labeled as such on Instagram, and you can even tag the company with which you’re collaborating in your Reels for maximum transparency.
#3. Use Affiliate Programs
If you are not yet a well-known influencer, it may be challenging to secure a deal with a brand. If your Reels are getting a decent number of views, you can approach businesses on your own.
Many companies have affiliate programs that enable you to serve as a brand ambassador. You’ll be paid a commission every time the company makes a sale as a result of your promotion. This is usually a small percentage of the product’s cost, but it can add up if you can persuade a large number of your Reel viewers of the product’s dependability.
You can apply to affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates or approach smaller businesses directly for a collaboration. Instagram has its own affiliate program, which is currently in beta testing. Once it is implemented, it will be easier than ever to connect with companies for affiliate marketing.
#4. Promote Yourself
If you own a business, social media is an integral part of your digital marketing strategy. You’re missing out on a massive user base if you’re not already making Reels to advertise yourself.
Instagram Reels reach a much larger audience than any other type of content shared on this social media platform. This makes them the ideal tool for conveying your message. Whether you run a small business selling handmade goods or are a freelancer looking for work, Reels can help you get noticed.
Depending on the nature of your business, there are numerous ways to advertise your products or services in your Reels. You can show your products in action and tag them in the Reel so that users can easily navigate to your Instagram Shopping page with a few taps. Product links will appear at the bottom of your Reel under View Products.
You can increase traffic to your website, blog, or YouTube channel by referring viewers to your page in your description.
Although this method does not result in direct deposits to your bank account, it is an effective long-term strategy for increasing conversions.
#5. Provide a Subscription Option
Instagram constantly competes with other platforms, allowing users to offer their followers subscription-based content. To mimic this mechanism, the Subscription feature was introduced. If you have a large number of loyal followers, they may be interested in receiving exclusive paid content from you. Unlike brand collaboration, this monetization method will provide you with a monthly income.
At the moment, the Subscription feature is only available in the United States. For now, subscriber benefits include private Stories, Lives, Posts, Chats, a badge, and, of course, Reels. Even if you only intend to post one type of paid content, you can use your Reels to reach a large audience.
Do you get paid by Instagram for making Reels?
Although the Reels Play Bonuses are not available, you can still earn money from Instagram Reels through various other means.
Begin selling your print-on-demand products, join an affiliate program, create a subscription, place advertisements on your Reels, or create branded content.
It’s always a good idea to stay updated on the latest Instagram policies and features, as the platform frequently updates its monetization options and introduces new tools for individual creators to earn money.
When does Instagram pay you for Reels?
Instagram usually pays around the 21st of each month for earnings made the previous month.
How do you place ads on Instagram Reels?
Navigate to the reel you want to promote in your profile, tap Boost Post, or use the Instagram Ads Manager to create a more sophisticated marketing campaign.
Ensure your ad meets all of Instagram’s requirements to be eligible for a boost.
Conclusion
The Instagram Reels Play Bonus is a fantastic way for creators to monetize their app presence while increasing brand awareness and engagement. If you’re already a Reels expert, keep an eye out for any program eligibility updates — you’ll want to start with earrings as soon as it’s available to everyone.
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How To Get Paid for Reels on Instagram: References
