Picture this: you’ve just created an Instagram Reel that captures a fun moment at a family gathering. You post it, and to your surprise, it goes viral. The views skyrocket, and you start hearing chatter about how much money Instagram pays for viral Instagram Reels views. Is it true? Can you earn cash from short video views? In this article, we’ll explore the Instagram monetization program for Reels and how much money you can earn from views. Plus, we’ll share tips to help your content go viral so that you can maximize your earnings potential.
Crayo AI clip creator tool has quickly emerged as a favorite among video creators for its ability to streamline the process of creating short viral videos.
Table Of Contents
- Are Views Important on Instagram
- How Much Does Instagram Pay for Reels Views
- How to Make Money on Instagram in 15 Ways
- 12 Tips to Get More Views on Instagram Reels
- Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Are Views Important on Instagram
Views as a Metric for Engagement
Instagram views are a key indicator of how engaged your audience is with your content. Unlike likes or comments, which show interaction after a viewer has engaged with a post, views indicate that users are consuming your content long enough for it to count. For videos, Stories, and Reels, the number of views can tell you if people are genuinely interested in what you’re sharing.
Why This Matters
- Attention Span: A view means your content was engaging enough for someone to watch it for at least three seconds (for videos and Reels). This indicates interest, even if they don’t necessarily engage further.
- Content Effectiveness: High views suggest that your videos and Stories are compelling, visually appealing, or provide value to your audience. This can help you identify what type of content works best for your brand, and you can increase your reach with likes and comments, as buying more comment likes on Instagram is standard nowadays.
- Audience Retention: More views indicate that your content is resonating with your audience, keeping them engaged and interested in your posts.
Boosting Visibility and Reach
The number of views on your Instagram content has a direct impact on your post’s visibility and reach. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that performs well, meaning that if a video or Reel gets a lot of views quickly, Instagram is more likely to show it to a broader audience. This is particularly true for Reels, which are designed to go viral and reach users outside your immediate followers.
Building Social Proof
Social proof refers to the idea that people are more likely to trust and engage with content that others have already interacted with. High view counts serve as a form of social proof, signaling that your content is popular and worth watching. When users see that a video or Story has many views, they are more likely to check it out themselves, leading to even more engagement.
Why Social Proof Matters:
- Trust and Credibility: If potential customers see that your videos or Stories have a high number of views, they’re more likely to perceive your brand as trustworthy and credible.
- Encouraging Engagement: High views often lead to more likes, comments, and shares, as people are drawn to popular content. This creates a snowball effect, amplifying the overall reach and impact of your content.
- Competitive Edge: In a crowded social media landscape, having content with high views can set you apart from competitors, making your brand stand out and appear more established.
Views and Brand Awareness
The more views your content receives, the more people become aware of your brand. Instagram views can play a crucial role in brand-building by repeatedly exposing your content to users and keeping your brand top-of-mind. Video content, in particular, allows brands to tell their story, showcase products, or demonstrate expertise in a way that static posts can’t.
Why Views Are Essential for Brand Awareness:
- Repetitive Exposure: The more users view your videos or Stories, the more familiar they become with your brand. This increases the likelihood of them remembering your brand when they’re ready to make a purchase.
- Brand Personality: Videos and Stories offer a great way to showcase your brand’s personality and values. High view counts indicate that users are enjoying this content, helping reinforce your brand identity.
- Expanded Reach: As more people view and engage with your content, their followers might also discover your brand through shared posts, further increasing brand awareness.
Driving Traffic and Sales
Instagram views can play a significant role in driving traffic to your website or sales page. With features like swipe-up links in Stories (for accounts with over 10,000 followers) and product tagging, you can directly convert views into actions. High view counts increase the chances of users taking the next step, whether that’s visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or purchasing a product.
Strategies to Increase Instagram Views
To maximize the impact of your Instagram content, it’s essential to implement strategies that boost your view counts.
Related Reading
- How Long Can Instagram Reels Be
- How Long Can a Facebook Reel Be
- How Do Reels Work on Facebook
- Why Are My Instagram Reels Not Getting Views
- What Is Considered Viral on TikTok
- How Long Can YouTube Shorts Be
- How Long Does It Take for a TikTok to Go Viral
- How Much Does YouTube Shorts Pay
How Much Does Instagram Pay for Reels Views
Instagram’s payment structure for Reels views is complex and uncertain. Many creators hope to earn money directly from Instagram based on the number of views their Reels receive. However, this is not how the current system works. Instagram does not pay creators for views. Instead, there may be one-time bonus opportunities that pay for a specific number of views during a limited time frame.
The Uncertain Future of Bonuses
Bonuses are one of Instagram’s monetization tools for content creators to earn money directly from Instagram. They aim to recognize influencers who are creating high-quality content. However, bonuses are still being tested, and they are not yet a mainstay program on Instagram.
This is a time-limited bonus that requires an invitation. For example, the Reels Play Bonus program allowed Instagram content creators to earn money when their Reels received a specific number of bonus plays within a given period. However, it is no longer active.
As part of a bonus program, you must familiarize yourself with:
The platform determines which creators are doing well with their videos and invites them to participate in various monetization programs on the platform. Although the program is invite-only, once you are invited, anybody may apply, including micro-influencers and celebrity lifestyle influencers.
You would expect Instagram to give you significant earnings once you hit one million views. However, even if your reel has millions of views, it does not mean much if you want to monetize it because Instagram does not pay per view. You only get paid for “bonus” plays.
However, Instagram has not defined a “bonus” play, which is the main issue influencers have with the bonus program. Instagram claims that bonus plays over 150 reels can generate up to $30,000 every program time.
Examples of reported earnings include:
- YouTuber Catherine Manning disclosed that she receives about $30 for more than 300,000 extra views on Instagram Reels.
- Redditors asserted that even with only 25,000 subscribers, they can make up to $2,300.
Given that the amount you can earn on Instagram is not definite, it is difficult to calculate how much you can earn per million views. Instead, you can use your views as proof that your viewers trust you for brand collaboration. You might earn much more than you earn with bonuses this way!
How to Make Money on Instagram in 15 Ways
Instagram is more than just a platform for sharing pictures of your lunch or your cat. It’s a powerful tool for marketing your business, and with over a billion users, it offers a massive potential audience. So how do you make money on Instagram? Here are 14 strategies to get you started.
1. Partner with a brand for sponsored posts
One of the most promising ways to make money on Instagram is by becoming an influencer, micro-influencer, or nano-influencer. Like any of these types of influencers, you will be compensated with gifts or cash in exchange for creating and sharing engaging content around a brand or business. These might take the form of sponsored posts or shoutouts, where you positively shout out about a brand or product on your Instagram account with a story or post. Reels can also now be used to promote sponsored content or include links to your website and services.
Instagram promotion works for businesses due to the highly visual nature of its content. Making money on the platform is all about using this visual impact to maximum impact, while reaching hundreds and thousands of potential customers.
To find brands to work with, you can join varying Influencer Marketplaces, tag the brands you love, or email them directly with an influencer media kit. Think of a media kit as a digital showcase of your work and insights into your audience demographics, follower count, engagement rates, and unique value proposition. You can create a media kit using a portfolio website template or make a PDF with Etsy.
Instagram’s Creator Marketplace is another great option for connecting with brands and securing paid partnerships. Using machine learning, the marketplace matches brands with creators who align with their campaign goals. Once you build a portfolio, brands can see if you're the right fit.
To join, creators must be 18 or older and adhere to Instagram's Partner Monetization Policies, Community Guidelines, and Content Monetization Policies. You can check your eligibility under your account settings and easily join the marketplace from your professional dashboard.
2. Get paid by Instagram as a Creator
Facebook announced that by the end of 2022, it plans to invest over $1 billion in programs that allow creators to earn money for their content. One of these programs is the Creator Fund, which will enable you to monetize your content through IGTV Ads, Instagram Live Badges, and Bonuses.
3. Instagram Live Badges
Being a creator on Instagram is not just about the content you publish but also about your relationship with your followers. You should aim to create an Instagram business account for added trust, form a strong bond with your followers, and give them the content they want to maximize your earnings.
Instagram had this in mind when it created its Live Badges feature, allowing fans to show their support for their favorite creators. Live Badges work like a digital “tip” people can give to Creators during a Livestream. It comes in the shape of a heart and can be bought as packages that sell for $0.99 - $4.99.
To add this feature to your account, go to your “Profile,” click “Professional Dashboard,” tap “Grow Your Business,” and select “Badges.” Once you go live, click on the “badges” icon on the left side of your screen and turn them on.
4. Instagram Gifts
Instagram Gifts let you earn support from your audience while they connect with your content. Followers can buy Stars and send them during live videos or eligible posts to show appreciation. Each Star is worth $0.01, and your earnings grow with the number of Stars your audience sends.
To get started, activate the feature through your professional dashboard in the Instagram app. Once enabled, fans can send gifts on eligible Reels by tapping the gift icon. This feature empowers creators to keep producing engaging, high-quality content that resonates with their audience while turning that support into real income.
5. Bonuses
Just like the name sounds, Bonuses reward you financially after hitting certain milestones on Instagram as a creator. If you meet many Lives, sign up for IGTV Ads, or create a required number of Instagram Reels, then you’ve reached some of the Bonus Programs’ milestones to collect your reward. But before jumping in, you should know that the Bonus Programs are currently invite-only, so stay tuned for updates on eligibility.
6. Open an Instagram Shop
An Instagram Shop is a lot like running an online store, except it’s all on an app. Their slogan “post, tag, sell” explains how it works. After creating your shop, upload product images, descriptions, and prices of your merchandise. Then users can discover your items and check out without ever leaving Instagram.
Take a look at how Wix user Palm & Wild created an Instagram Shop for their elegant art prints. By selling beyond their website, they can reach new users and make money on Instagram. They've also kept their website URL palmandwild.com in their Instagram bio to help potential customers learn more about the other products and drive traffic to their website.
Follow these five steps for creating a shop on Instagram:
- Convert to a business account.
- Connect your Facebook Page.
- Upload a product catalog.
- Complete account review.
- Turn on Shopping.
7. Become an affiliate marketer
Unlike becoming an influencer and getting paid per post, as an affiliate, you get paid on commission. The average affiliate commission rate to expect is anywhere between 5% - 30%. Your sales will most often get tracked with a unique promo code or trackable UTM link. On Instagram, affiliate programs usually go by the name "Brand Ambassador." You can either apply to become one on a company's website or be approached by the brand.
The number of followers you have is not a deciding factor for brands looking to hire affiliates; instead, they want to see that you’re a fitting person who connects with their audience.
In advance, you should know that you can only add product links on the app in your Instagram bio or your Story (if you have over 10,000 followers). Since these two places are limited, consider starting a blog with a blog maker and writing SEO-optimized blog posts about the products with trackable links. This is a popular affiliate marketing method.
8. Drive traffic to your website
80% of people surveyed said Instagram helps them discover and buy new products or services. Evidently, the more people who see your brand on Instagram, the better chance they will buy from your website. To help you make more money online, you can use Instagram indirectly to drive traffic to your website. With the help of all your Instagram visitors, you can boost sales, grow your email marketing list, and expand your loyal community of customers.
9. Offer Instagram marketing services
Are you skilled in Instagram marketing, caption writing, or content creation? If so, you might be suited to take on an Instagram freelancing gig. By consulting other companies on improving their Instagram marketing techniques, you can make a nice profit, charging service fees between $20 - $50 per hour and even $100 for writing captions.
Book more freelance customers and spread the word about your services in your Instagram bio. You can also advertise your services on platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. Plus, consider adding online scheduling to your website so people can book services directly from your site.
10. Sell photos, illustrations, or digital files
Instagram is all about visuals, so if you're a designer, photographer, or creative, it's time to cash in on your talents. You can sell your photos to other businesses, which is very common in the travel industry, or you can sell your own content, such as prints and illustrations.
Moreover, if you have a photography website or online portfolio, think of Instagram as a "storefront window" for your work and use it to get more clients.
11. Offer your audience exclusive content
Humans are curious creatures with a strong desire to keep learning. This is why online course platforms such as Coursera, Masterclass, and Udacity have gained a large customer base. If you’re thinking about creating an online course, Instagram is a wonderful outlet to market it and earn money with each registration.
An average individual course can start at about $100, while longer, more intense courses can cost thousands of dollars. But you don't have to limit yourself to earning through this alone. Simple downloadable guides, eBooks, whitepapers, or templates can be other lucrative ways to make money on Instagram.
12. Dropship products
When starting a business, a factor that often presents logistical and financial hurdles is inventory. However, you can run a store without ever holding any inventory, thanks to the dropshipping business model.
By starting a dropshipping business, you can choose from millions of different suppliers' products, such as T-shirts, books, mugs, and pillows. You're set free from the hassle of fulfillment and shipping, and get to set your own pricing to maximize profits. Once you're ready to promote your dropshipping business, create a dedicated Instagram page to showcase your products, advertise your site, and increase sales.
13. Create an Instagram feature account
Instagram feature accounts act as hubs to showcase photos from several different creators within a niche. For instance, a travel page shows images of various top travel bloggers and tags them for credit. Here are countless Instagram feature accounts sorted by topic that you can look at for reference.
But can you make money on Instagram from this type of page? Once you’ve grown your account to a favorable size, you can offer paid spots to users who wish to get featured on your account’s feed or Instagram Stories.
Many are willing to invest good money for such prime real estate and exposure. On average, paid spotlight slots can range from $15 to $30 per post. Other Instagram hubs manage follower loops and “like for like” engagement groups and offer VIP paid memberships in them for as high as $20 - $30 per month.
While this income method doesn’t require you to buy or sell any physical products, you will need to invest a considerable amount of time engaging with accounts, messaging potential customers, and continually growing your followers.
14. Leverage livestreaming and badges
Livestreaming on Instagram is an interactive way to connect with your audience in real-time while monetizing your content. Instagram allows viewers to purchase badges during your live sessions as a way to support you. Badges come in three tiers,s ranging from $0.99 to $4.99, and they’ll display next to the viewer’s username, showing that they’ve contributed.
This feature offers a direct line to earning money while deepening engagement with followers. For instance, you can host Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes content, or tutorials during your live streams to keep your audience engaged and encourage them to purchase badges. Many creators pair this with promoting upcoming livestreams to maximize attendance and earnings.
To make the most of livestreaming, aim for consistency in scheduling your sessions so your audience knows when to tune in. Interaction is key, so respond to comments, recognize badge supporters during the stream, and express gratitude for their contributions. The more value and personal connection you bring to your livestreams, the more likely viewers will feel motivated to support your work financially.
15. Create user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) allows creators to earn money by designing relatable and authentic materials for brands to use in their marketing campaigns. This could include photos, videos, or testimonials showcasing real experiences with a product or service.
For example, you might try a brand's skincare product and create a short video sharing your before-and-after results. Brands may compensate you directly for your work or offer collaborations where you create multiple pieces of UGC for their campaigns.
The key to thriving in UGC is to create high-quality, engaging content that reflects the brand's identity. Always prioritize authenticity as brands and audiences alike appreciate honest reviews and real experiences. Building a strong portfolio of examples can also help you get noticed by brands eager to collaborate with talented creators like you.
Related Reading
- Facebook Reels vs Instagram Reels
- How Long Do Reels Stay on Facebook
- Best Time to Post Reels on Facebook
- Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
- How to Get More Views on Facebook for Free
- How to Repost Reels on Instagram
- How Many Views to Go Viral on TikTok
- Instagram Reels Dimensions
- How to Get More Views on Facebook Reels
- Are Reels Better Than Posts
12 Tips to Get More Views on Instagram Reels
1. Utilized the Power of Crayo AI for Effortless Shorts Creation
Crayo AI transforms the way you produce short videos. With its capability to generate unlimited shorts simultaneously, you can save time and focus on creativity. Crayo AI automatically creates captions, selects effects, and curates background music to enhance your videos. Simply input your ideas, customize the style, and export your content in minutes. It's an opportunity to streamline your workflow and potentially earn money through TikTok’s creator fund. Don’t miss out, explore Crayo’s free clip creation tool today, with no account needed.
2. Craft Concise, Impactful Content That Captivates
Engaging your audience starts with short, powerful content. Begin with a captivating question or statement to draw viewers in, then deliver your brand message. Early engagement signals Instagram to promote your content, so prioritize impactful elements at the start of your video.
3. Leverage Trending Audio to Boost Your Reach
Utilize popular audio tracks to enhance your Reels’ visibility. Explore trending Reels to discover high-view audio options, then create original content using these tracks. This strategy increases your chances of going viral by aligning with Instagram’s engagement metrics.
4. Ride Trends Thoughtfully for Maximum Impact
Participate in social media trends to expand your reach, but add an original twist. In 2025 and beyond, simply imitating viral content will not suffice. Instead, focus on relevant trends that resonate with your audience to avoid alienating them.
5. Incorporate Relevant Hashtags
Using targeted hashtags increases the likelihood of your Reels being discovered by new viewers. Create a branded hashtag for your content to establish a cohesive identity, similar to Starbucks’ #PSL for their Pumpkin Spice Latte.
6. Partner with Influencers to Expand Your Audience
Influencers can introduce your brand to new audiences, boosting your following and engagement. Choose influencers who align with your values for authentic collaborations. Use Instagram’s tools to track performance and measure success.
7. Cross-Promote Your Reels for Added Exposure
Don’t limit your Reels’ reach to Instagram; share them on other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to attract new viewers. This strategy increases your content’s visibility and engagement opportunities.
8. Engage Viewers with a Strong Hook
Capture your audience’s attention within the first few seconds of your Reel to maximize watch time. Effective hooks may include bold visuals, intriguing questions, or surprising moments that encourage viewers to keep watching.
9. Post at Optimal Times for Maximum Engagement
Boost your views by sharing your Reels when your audience is most active. Generally, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and Fridays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. are ideal. Use Instagram Insights to determine your followers’ specific active times.
10. Create Compelling Series to Build Audience Engagement
Develop episodic content that tells a story or explores a theme to keep viewers coming back for more. Plan your series, outlining key messages and video connections. Consistency and strong narratives enhance engagement and sharing potential.
11. Use Giveaways to Increase Followers and Engagement
Running an Instagram giveaway can quickly boost your followers and expand your reach. Accounts that regularly host giveaways experience 70% faster growth than those that don’t, increasing your chances of gaining new viewers.
12. Encourage Follows to Turn Viewers into Loyal Fans
To maximize your Reels’ long-term impact, include a call-to-action encouraging viewers to follow your account. This simple tactic helps convert one-time viewers into engaged followers who will recur and boost your content’s visibility.
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Crayo AI is the quickest way to create short videos. Generate unlimited short videos at once. Crayo even auto-generates captions, effects, background, and music for you. Take advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime and make easy money with the TikTok creator fund program. Go from ideas to short videos in seconds: 1. Write an outline/prompt, 2. Customize the style (select a background video, voice narrator, and music from Crayo’s free templates), 3. Finish and export! Go viral, make money, and make clips in seconds with Crayo.
Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today. Just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account required! Go from prompt to viral short videos in minutes with Crayo.
Related Reading
- How to Go Viral on TikTok Without Followers
- Best Hashtags for YouTube Shorts
- YouTube Shorts vs TikTok
- Popular Hashtags for Facebook Reels
- Best Time to Post YouTube Short
- Best Hashtags for TikTok to Go Viral
- How to Add Music to YouTube Shorts
- Hashtags for Instagram Reels
- How to Get More Views on Instagram Reels
- YouTube Shorts Not Getting Views Reasons