How Much Does Instagram Pay for 1 Million Views? (2026 Rates)

With one million active users monthly, Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world. Due to its enormous user base and active audience, more content creators are using Instagram to make money, especially as the TikTok ban in the United States looms.

There are many methods to earn money on this platform, regardless of whether you want to pursue it as a full-time career or as a side gig.

If you want to start earning through content creation in 2026, here is a guide on how much the platform pays creators per million views.

Note: These are estimated earnings based on 2026 industry averages. Actual earnings vary based on audience location, content niche, engagement rate, and monetization eligibility. Use this as a rough guide only.

Instagram Monetization in 2026: The Basics

Does Instagram pay per view?

Instagram does not pay a fixed rate per view like YouTube.
But Instagram pays creators based on Reels Bonuses, ad revenue share, and brand collaborations (among other things)

That means the number of views alone isn’t enough to calculate earnings. But views matter a TON as they determine how much money your content can… unlock.

Monetization method vs typical rates on Instagram 2026

So, what determines your payout?

Instagram’s creator payouts depend on:

• Location (U.S.-based viewers and accounts drive higher rates up)

• Engagement (how many likes, how many saves/shares/comments. Everything is important)

• Watch time and completion rate which are among the most important Instagram Insights

• Ad demand on Reels

• Whether you’re in Instagram’s bonus programs

In 2026, creators primarily earn through:

1. Reels Play Bonus Programs

2. Partnerships ads

3. Brand deals and sponsorships

4. Instagram subscriptions, badges, and gifts

5. Affiliate sales and shop earnings

For this article’s purposes, when we talk about how much Instagram pays for 1 million views, we’ll break it down based on typical earnings from Reels bonuses and ad revenue (the parts closest to “per-view pay.”)

How much does Instagram pay for 1 million views

Reels are reshared nearly 5 billion times every day, making them the most viral format on Instagram. So, creating Reels is a great way to increase Instagram presence. However, the payout structure isn’t what you might think.

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.

How much does Instagram pay for 1 million views, depending on the industry

YouTuber Catherine Manning disclosed that she receives about $30 for more than 300,000 extra views on Instagram Reels. Meanwhile, 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 what you earn with Bonuses this way!

How much are these creators getting paid on Instagram?

Small creator (10K-50K followers)

Iamthealphabet is a US-based artist featured in a YouTube proof video, who has shared detailed earnings from Instagram Reels during a growth phase from 10K to 50K followers. In the video, she shared exact payouts:

• $202 for 1 million views across 10 Reels,

• $330 for 2.3 million views on 12 Reels,

• and $210 for 1.1 million views.

That works out to around 20 cents per 1,000 views from bonuses. The creator even shared video screenshots of her bank deposits and dashboards to back it up. That’s actually on the higher side – proof that creative niches can really pay off. And with a few sponsorships, those numbers could go even higher.

Mid-tier creator (100K-500K followers)

KyWavyyy (Kai), is a US Instagram growth expert with theme pages (niche accounts like YouTuber clips), reveals in his YouTube video, earning $3,500 per client for 3-4 posts on his main account (over 100K followers via team).

He follows a different model, though. Instead of relying on huge personal followings, he DMs brands and creators for shoutouts on niche pages – charging thousands per deal. With a few clients each month, it easily scales to cover a full lifestyle, way beyond what you’d make from bonus rates alone.

Large creator (1M+ followers)

Charli D’Amelio, one of Instagram’s top large-scale creators with over 42 million followers, exemplifies elite earnings in 2026, reportedly commanding $240,000-$280,000 per sponsored post, according to a source.This stems from mega-brands like Dunkin’ and Hulu, where her posts generate massive ROI through viral reach (which is honestly far beyond platform bonuses.)

CPM Comparison for different platforms

Bonuses on Instagram

Bonuses are one of Instagram’s monetization tools for content creators to earn money directly from Instagram. It is about recognizing 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.

• Facebook’s bonus programmes offer creators direct earnings for posting original content and meeting engagement goals.

• Some versions of this program will pay creators up to about $5,000 total in bonuses during the first 90 days after joining (basically a starter incentive to kickstart content on the platform.)

• Earnings are tied to reach, reactions, shares, and comments on your eligible posts, though Facebook does not publicly disclose an exact per-interaction payout rate.

As a part of a Bonus program, you must familiarize yourself with Instagram Community Guidelines, Content Monetization Policies, and of course, the Partner Monetization Policies.

Here are the eligibility requirements to BE INVITED to a Bonus program:

• Have a professional account on Instagram

• Meet Partner Monetization Policies

• Live in a country where Instagram is testing Bonuses

Here are steps to set up Bonuses on your Instagram account:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. At the top of your profile, click to access your professional dashboard.

3. Click the invitation on your work dashboard. You are not currently invited to Bonuses if you do not get an invitation.

4. After completing the steps, tap Activate Bonus. By turning on the bonus, you agree to the Instagram Creator Incentives Terms, Instagram Bonuses general program rules, and Instagram Bonuses specific bonus program restrictions.

5. To get a Bonus payout, you need to add a payout account. You will relinquish all rights to receive your earnings if you haven’t added a payout account within six months.

Brand deals using Instagram Creator Marketplace

Instagram, one of the best social media platforms for collaboration between businesses and content creators, always comes up with new features and improvements that would make it easier for creators and brands to work together.

The Instagram Creator Marketplace allows creators and marketers to interact more readily and collaborate on projects. It also shows relevant brands and interests to ensure that the brand opportunities you receive are a good fit for you and your audience.

In 2026, it is available worldwide, except in Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Russia.

The Creator Marketplace organizes partnership messages by sending new messages from eligible brands to a dedicated folder at the top of your Primary tab.

Through the Creator Marketplace, brands will be able to send a project, allowing you to review the details, requirements, and rate of the proposal in the Partnership Messages folder.

To qualify for the Creator Marketplace, you must comply with Instagram Partner Monetization Policies, Community Guidelines, and Content Monetization Policies.

As a content creator, each brand deal you will get will be unique as you will be negotiating the conditions of each one. However, giving the business or marketer an idea about your previous sponsored content partnerships, how many followers you have, engagement rate, likes, views, comments, and shares is always a good thing. These details will help you get the rate you deserve.

Once you have secured brand partnerships, you can start posting those sponsored posts.

For creators, the Marketplace is a way to monetize their audience without leaving the app. For brands, it provides an easier way to run influencer campaigns and integrate creator content into broader marketing efforts.

Instagram Subscriptions

Instagram Subscriptions is an in-app feature that influencers can use to charge their fans a monthly fee to subscribe to their exclusive content. This is a smart way to “use” your devoted fan base and strengthen your bond with them even further.

The fun part is that creators can determine the price of your Subscriptions. Plus, you get to keep 100% of those profits without sharing any of the profits with IG.

Note: Google and Apple have a 30% fee on all in-app purchases.

You can release exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, day-in-the-life videos, Q&As, and more. This gives your fans an in-depth look into your life and brand, and the best part is that you can make money from it all!

Instagram Gifts

If you are not comfortable asking fans to pay for bonus content, you can use Instagram Gifts. This feature allows fans to send you virtual gifts through “Stars,” an in-app currency. You can then convert these gifts into cash.

Each star= $0.01

Here are the eligibility requirements to earn from gifts:

• Have a Professional account (Creator or Business)

• Be at least 18 years old

• Have 500+ followers

• Agree to IG’s monetization terms and policies

• Live in a country where the Gifts feature is offered

• Complete your payout setup (link a bank/PayPal and fill in any required tax info)

Accounts that upload mostly kid-focused content, however, are not eligible to receive or earn from Gifts.

Instagram tracks all gifts you receive in your Professional Dashboard. Once your accumulated earnings meet the minimum payout threshold (typically around $100), Instagram will transfer the funds to your linked payout account.

Are IG gifts worth it?

Instagram Gifts aren’t typically a huge money-maker on their own. As you can see, most gifts are small, and you need consistent, high-engagement Reels to see some meaningful earnings. But at least they are free to enable, and you get to keep 100% of those gifts. Plus, they can complement other income streams like brand deals, ads, or subscriptions IF you have an engaged audience.

Affiliate Marketing on Instagram

Affiliate marketing lets creators promote products they genuinely like and earn money when followers purchase using their link or code. And it’s a thing in almost all platforms where you can create content and have people that follow and trust you.

Brands can work with influencers to market their digital or physical goods for Instagram marketing.

These influencers may then be provided with a unique affiliate link or referral code to distribute to their followers. If their followers purchase the goods or services through the link or code, they will receive a commission.

You earn a percentage of each sale made through your unique link or promo code. The rate depends on the brand or network:

• Some pay 5-20% commissions per sale.

• Others (like Amazon Associates) may pay less but offer volume.

• Premium niche programs (like beauty, tech, or fitness) can offer higher flat rates per conversion.

Payments are made by the affiliate network, NOT Instagram, and are typically sent monthly once you hit a minimum balance.

How to start Affiliate on IG?

How to get started

1. Join an affiliate program

2. Get your unique affiliate link and add it to:

3. Your Instagram bio

   • Instagram Stories using link stickers

4. Create content that sells without selling. Of course you have to share tutorials, reviews, or lifestyle posts that naturally feature the product.

5. Disclose your partnership by using “#ad” or “#affiliate” to stay compliant with Meta’s and FTC rules.

How to maximize earnings on Instagram?

Even if your videos have a lot of views, not everyone on Instagram can make money from them. Instagram’s invite-only programs and brand sponsors carefully choose the influencers who are paid for their posts. Therefore, only a few people can pursue their love for content creation as a career.

If you want to improve your chances of making money from your content, here are some ways you can do so:

1. Optimize your reels

Reels are basically the main way to grow and (eventually) make money on Instagram these days. If you want more reach and engagement, try these:

• Hook your viewers in the first seconds

• Use trending sounds and keep videos short

• Add captions since many watch without sound

• Include searchable keywords in your CAPTIONS

The algorithm rewards strong engagement and retention. The longer people watch your Reels, the better your chances of earning through bonuses or brand exposure.

2. Develop a close bond with your Fans/followers

The more your Instagram users adore you, the more they will see and interact with your content. This may increase the number of bonus plays on your videos, increasing your Instagram revenue. It also increases your chances of obtaining brand sponsorships by demonstrating that you can persuade people to buy your recommendations.

3. Participate in challenges and trends

People are enamored by viral trends. But also, your videos are more likely to gain popularity if you add your unique touch. You may be able to generate more bonus plays and receive additional payouts if you have more views through viral trends.

4. Post at the right time

While exact times differ by location, these general time slots perform well:

• Thursday at 9 a.m.,

• Wednesday at 12 p.m.,

• and Wednesday at 6 p.m., based on engagement data.

• According to the same report, Friday and Saturday are the worst days to post.

But, of course, it’s best to monitor YOUR Instagram Insights to find YOUR audience’s peak activity times so you can adjust accordingly.

5. Focus on engagement

You have to have an engaged audience if you want to get more view, more deal and more money at the end. So, try to:

• Ask questions in your captions

• Pin interesting comments to encourage discussion

• Respond quickly to early comments

• Use Stories to support your latest post

• Collaborate with other creators in your niche

6. Diversify your income streams

We somehow already covered this, but we think it’s important to mention again.. Depending solely on views or bonuses is limiting. The most successful creators mix different revenue streams:

• Brand partnerships and sponsorships

• Affiliate marketing

• Selling digital products or online courses

• Merchandise and physical goods

• Fan subscriptions or exclusive content

When you rely on multiple income sources, you’re less affected by algorithm changes and/or program updates.

Finally…

So, how much does Instagram pay for 1 million views? That’s kind of impossible to know and answer with 100% accuracy, but you can use all the information in this article when negotiating brand sponsorships.

Your previous sponsorships, views, likes, shares, and Instagram follower count will show businesses that people watch your content and can trust you as a partner.

If you want to start your Instagram career this year, Vidpros can help you edit your videos. We are dedicated to helping you create your best videos and earn money on Instagram. Book a free consultation call with us today