Are Instagram Bonuses Not Showing Up For You? Here‘s What You Need to Know

If you‘re a creator on Instagram, you may have heard about the exciting opportunity to earn money through the Reels Play bonus program. This invite-only program, currently being tested in the US and India, allows eligible users to earn money based on the performance of their Reels. However, many creators have reported issues with Instagram bonuses not showing up in their app. If you‘re one of those frustrated users wondering why you don‘t have access to this feature yet, don‘t worry – we‘re here to help clarify what‘s going on.

What are Instagram bonuses?

Instagram bonuses are a way for creators to earn money directly through the app. The most prominent bonus program at the moment is the Reels Play bonus, which rewards users for posting Reels that get a certain number of views. Instagram has been gradually expanding bonus programs over the past few years as part of a larger effort to invest in and support creators.

According to Instagram‘s CEO Adam Mosseri, the goal is for bonuses and other incentive programs to become a more central part of the platform moving forward. In a series of tweets earlier this year, he said: "We‘re working on a suite of solutions to help creators make a living…including ad revenue sharing, merchandise, and more."

While the specifics of each bonus program vary, they all provide a way for users to monetize their content and audience on the platform. This is an important development, as the "creator economy" continues to grow and more people turn to social media as a full-time career. A report from SignalFire estimates that there are now over 50 million creators globally, and that number is only expected to keep growing.

Instagram isn‘t the only platform offering monetary incentives for creators. YouTube has long had a robust ad revenue sharing system in place, as well as newer features like Super Chat and Channel Memberships. TikTok also has a Creator Fund that pays users for views, as well as brand partnership opportunities through the Creator Marketplace.

But Instagram is hoping to differentiate itself by building a suite of native monetization tools directly into the app experience. In addition to bonuses, these include:

• Badges: Fans can purchase badges during livestreams to stand out in the comments and show support for creators. Creators earn a portion of the revenue from badge sales.
• Subscriptions: Allows creators to offer exclusive content and benefits to subscribers who pay a monthly fee. Currently in testing with a small group of creators.
• Shops: Creators can set up a shop on their profile to sell products directly to fans. Integrates with existing e-commerce platforms for seamless selling and fulfillment.
• Branded content: Paid partnerships with brands, either organically or through Instagram‘s Brand Collabs Manager platform. Instagram recently announced new features like the ability for creators to tag products in branded posts.

By offering multiple streams of income, Instagram aims to become a powerful hub for creators to build a sustainable business around their personal brand and audience.

Why are Instagram bonuses not showing up for me?

There are a few potential reasons why you might not be seeing the option to earn Instagram bonuses in your app:

1. Instagram bonuses are not available in your country yet.
   Currently, the Reels Play bonus is only being tested in the United States and India. If you live outside of those two countries, that‘s likely the reason you don‘t have access to bonuses at this time.

   Instagram has said they plan to expand bonus programs to more countries in the future, but no specific timeline has been announced yet. In a statement to TechCrunch, a Meta spokesperson said: "We‘re continuing to test Reels Play bonuses in several countries, and will expand to more countries in the coming months. We‘re also exploring other ways for creators to earn from their Reels."

2. You haven‘t switched to a professional account.
   In order to be eligible for Instagram bonuses, you need to have either a Creator or Business account, not a personal account. You can switch your account type in your settings if you haven‘t already.

   Creator accounts are generally recommended for individuals who create content, while Business accounts are better for brands and companies. Both account types offer exclusive features like Insights (analytics) and the ability to run ads.

3. You haven‘t been invited to the bonus program yet.
   The Reels Play bonus is currently invite-only, meaning Instagram is selectively rolling out access to certain users. The criteria for how they choose who gets invited is not entirely clear, but factors likely include your account type, content, audience size, engagement, and consistency in posting Reels.

   Instagram‘s help center states: "Bonuses are currently an invite-only program, and availability may vary. We are always testing new ways for creators to earn money and will expand the bonus program to more accounts as it continues to grow."

   If you haven‘t gotten an invite, it doesn‘t necessarily mean you‘re doing anything wrong – Instagram may just be slowly scaling the program to manage costs and ensure a positive experience for participants.

4. You don‘t meet certain eligibility requirements.
   Again, Instagram hasn‘t shared much publicly about the specific criteria they use to determine bonus eligibility. But we do know a few key requirements.

   At the moment, only accounts with less than 1 million followers qualify for the Reels Play bonus according to Instagram‘s documentation. Your account also needs to be in good standing, without any outstanding policy violations or suspicious activity.

   There may be other factors as well, like audience location and demographics, that influence whether you‘re able to earn bonuses. For example, if your audience is primarily located outside of the US and India where the program is being tested, that could impact your eligibility.

How to fix Instagram bonuses not showing

If you‘re not seeing the option to earn Instagram bonuses, here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot:

1. Check that you have a professional account.
   Go to your profile, then tap the three lines in the top right > Settings > Account. If you‘re still listed as a Personal account, tap "Switch to Professional Account" and follow the prompts to switch to either a Creator or Business account. You need to be on a professional account type to access bonuses and other exclusive features.

2. Make sure you‘re in an eligible country.
   As mentioned, the Reels Play bonus is currently only available in the US and India. If you‘re not located in either of those countries, that‘s likely the reason you‘re not seeing bonuses. All you can do for now is wait and see if Instagram expands the program to your location.

3. Keep posting Reels consistently.
   One of the best ways to improve your chances of getting invited to the Reels Play bonus is simply to keep creating and sharing Reels on a regular basis. The more you post, the more data Instagram has to assess your account and decide if you meet their criteria for an invite.

   Focus on making original, high-quality Reels that your audience will enjoy and engage with. Pay attention to trends, use relevant hashtags and sounds, and experiment with different formats and editing techniques to keep your content fresh.

   According to Instagram‘s @creators account, "consistency is key" when it comes to Reels. They advise posting Reels multiple times per week, and note that accounts that post frequently tend to perform better in terms of reach and engagement.

4. Engage with your audience & nurture your community.
   In addition to posting itself, building an active and engaged community on Instagram is important for all kinds of monetization opportunities, including bonuses. Respond to comments, use interactive stickers in Stories, hop on trends, and find other ways to connect with your followers.

   A loyal fanbase is valuable for so many reasons as a creator. Not only can engaged followers help drive your organic reach and discoverability, but they‘re also more likely to support your content in other ways – whether that‘s buying your products/services, engaging with your sponsored posts, or even signing up for a fan subscription in the future.

5. Check for an invite to the bonus program.
   Typically, if you‘re invited to a bonus program, you‘ll see a notification at the top of your Professional Dashboard in the Instagram app. The dashboard is accessible from your profile by tapping the three lines, then selecting "Professional Dashboard".

   If you see an invite, be sure to complete the signup process before it expires to secure your spot. The invitation will guide you through setting up payouts and agreeing to the bonus terms.

   It‘s also worth regularly checking the "Bonuses" tab in your Professional Dashboard, as this is where information about current and upcoming bonus opportunities will appear if you‘re eligible.

6. Stay up to date on Instagram‘s creator announcements.
   Make sure you‘re following @creators, @instagramforbusiness, and any other official Instagram accounts that share updates and tips for creators. These accounts often post about new monetization tools, bonus programs, and best practices.

   You can also keep an eye on the Instagram blog and Meta/Instagram newsroom for the latest product announcements and creator initiatives.

7. Consider other ways to earn money on Instagram.
   While bonuses are an exciting opportunity, they‘re not the only way for creators to monetize on Instagram. As the platform continues to expand its range of money-making tools, it‘s good to diversify your approach and find multiple revenue streams that align with your personal brand and audience.

   A few other options to explore include:

   • Promoting affiliate links: If you frequently recommend products you love, see if those brands have an affiliate program that lets you earn a commission on sales made through your unique link. You can share these links in your Stories, feed posts, and bio.
   • Creating and selling your own products/merch: Have a skill or hobby you can monetize? Consider creating digital products like ebooks, courses, or design templates to sell. Or go the physical product route with branded merchandise your fans can rep. Instagram Shops makes it easy to integrate your e-commerce store and tag products in posts.
   • Partnering with brands on sponsored content: Brands are always looking for authentic voices to help promote their products to engaged audiences. Rates for sponsored posts vary widely depending on things like your niche, follower count, and engagement, but even nano and micro influencers can secure paid partnerships. Tagging brands in your posts and using hashtags like #ad and #sponsored can help get you on their radar. You can also use Instagram‘s Branded Content tools to streamline the process.
   • Signing up for fan subscriptions: If you have over 10k followers, you may be eligible for Instagram‘s Subscriptions feature, which lets you charge fans a monthly fee for access to exclusive content and perks. This is a great way to generate recurring revenue from your most dedicated supporters.
   • Enabling Live Badges: If you broadcast frequently on Instagram Live, you can enable Badges and earn money when viewers purchase them during your streams. Badges are a way for fans to show their appreciation and stand out in the comments, while also supporting you financially.
   • Promoting your services: Are you a coach, consultant, freelancer, or other service provider? Don‘t be afraid to occasionally promote your offerings on Instagram. You can use the "Action Button" feature to let followers book an appointment or consultation directly from your profile.

   The key is to think about what aligns best with your content, audience, and goals, and to always prioritize providing value and building trust with your followers.

The future of Instagram bonuses & creator monetization

The Reels Play bonus and other Instagram incentive programs signal a larger shift in how social media platforms aim to support and retain creators. Across the industry, there‘s a growing recognition that creators are the lifeblood of these platforms, driving usage, engagement, and revenue. But for a long time, the relationship between platforms and creators was lopsided, with creators pouring time and effort into their content without a clear path to getting paid.

Now, as the creator economy booms and competition for talent heats up, platforms are under pressure to offer more robust monetization tools and revenue sharing models. We‘re seeing this not just from Instagram, but also from TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, and others.

While the specifics vary from platform to platform, the overall trend is toward giving creators more ways to earn money natively within the app, whether that‘s through ad revenue shares, tipping/donations, subscriptions, or e-commerce features. The goal is to make it as seamless as possible for creators to turn their influence and audience into income.

At the same time, the rise of Web3 technologies like blockchain and NFTs is also shaking up the creator economy. These tools have the potential to give creators even more ownership and control over their content and fan relationships. For example, some creators are using NFTs as a way to offer exclusive perks and experiences to their superfans, or to sell unique digital art and collectibles.

As the space continues to evolve, the most successful creators will likely be those who are able to diversify their revenue streams and build a loyal community across multiple platforms. While Instagram bonuses and other native monetization features are certainly powerful tools to have in your toolkit, it‘s important not to become overly reliant on any one platform or income source.

The key is to stay nimble, adaptable, and always prioritize delivering value to your audience. Focus on building a strong brand and engaged community, and the monetization opportunities will follow. Keep an eye on industry trends and best practices, but don‘t be afraid to experiment and forge your own path as well.

One thing is for certain: it‘s an exciting time to be a creator on social media. With more platforms investing in creator tools and the creator economy showing no signs of slowing down, there‘s never been more potential to turn your passion into a full-time career. Whether you‘re just starting out or already have an established audience, now is the time to dive in and start exploring all the different ways you can monetize your influence.

Key takeaways

• Instagram bonuses are part of a larger suite of monetization tools being rolled out to help creators earn money on the platform. The Reels Play bonus is currently invite-only and being tested in the US and India.
• If you‘re not seeing the option to earn bonuses, it may be because the program hasn‘t rolled out to your country yet, you don‘t have a professional account, you haven‘t been invited yet, or you don‘t meet certain eligibility criteria.
• To increase your chances of getting access to bonuses, focus on consistently posting high-quality Reels, engaging with your audience, and staying active on the platform. You can also explore other Instagram monetization features like shopping, subscriptions, and branded content.
• The creator economy is booming and social media platforms are under pressure to offer more robust monetization tools. In the future, successful creators will likely be those who diversify their income and build engaged communities across multiple channels.
• While bonuses and other platform-native monetization features are valuable, it‘s important to prioritize building a strong brand and delivering value to your audience above all else. Stay adaptable and don‘t be afraid to experiment with different revenue streams that align with your goals.