Bonuses are Back: How To Earn the Coveted Instagram Bonus

For many social media influencers, creating content is all about having fun and expressing yourself creatively. However, it’s undeniable that monetization is a huge part of being a full-time creator. There are different ways to earn money from social media, from affiliate links to paid partnerships with brands. And on Instagram specifically, select creators get a chance to earn big with something called the Instagram bonus program.

Bonuses are given to creators who have an established following and consistently produce awesome, engaging content. But how does the program work? Who can score an invite? And most importantly, how much can one earn from it? We’ll answer all these questions today. Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about Instagram’s coveted bonus program.

What Is the Instagram Bonus Program?

The bonus feature on Instagram allows content creators to earn money on their posts within a limited timeframe. You can earn money for all kinds of posts that gain traction, from single-image posts and carousels to Instagram Reels. It’s an awesome way to provide more opportunities for creators to make a living out of making terrific content.

Right now, the program is strictly invite-only. Instagram scouts creators they deem worthy of scoring bonuses for their work and then invite them to the program. If you are invited, you should be able to see a notification in your professional dashboard. Just go through the onboarding process from there, and that’s it! You can officially start making money from your posts.

Once you’re part of the program, Instagram will count up to 150 of your posts for the bonus period. When those posts perform well, you earn more bonuses! When you’re happy with your bonuses, cash them out through your preferred payout method. Ka-ching!

At the moment, only creators from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan can join and earn bonuses. However, Instagram seems keen on rolling out and testing the program in other parts of the world.

Is It the Same as the Old Instagram Reels Bonus Program?

No, the new bonus program isn’t exactly the same as the one the Instagram Reels bonus creators used to receive. The old program was called Instagram Reels Play, and it was exclusively for creators who came out with high-performing Reels. The new program boosts business for content creators specializing in any content format, whether photo or video.

The Reels Play program used to pay creators for any Reel that got over 1,000 views for every 30-day period. Sadly, much to the dismay of many video creators, it was slowly phased out back in 2023. That makes news of the new bonuses being rolled out even more exciting!

Goodbye Instagram Spring Bonus, Hello Summer Bonus!

People first heard of the new bonus program when Business Insider reported that Instagram bonuses were back in April 2024. In their report, they said the platform was offering an “Instagram spring bonus” to creators with non-sponsored content. A few months later, the spring bonus period ended, and Instagram welcomed select creators to the summer bonus period.

This gives creators an idea of how the program works. Everything is time-bound. Each “season,” Instagram will pay you for up to 150 of your page’s posts. We’re in summer now, but it’s no surprise that we see autumn and winter bonuses, or even holiday bonuses!

You can earn up to $500 for each “monetization tool,” aka page. The maximum anyone can earn is $1,500 ($500 across three different monetization tools).

The bonus you get differs from everyone else’s. Factors that come into play in determining how much you earn include your views, reach, video plays and audience size.

How To Become Eligible for Instagram Bonuses

Wondering how to become eligible for Instagram bonuses? The parameters for potentially receiving an invite into the program are pretty straightforward. To qualify, you must:

• Have a professional account, specifically one in creator mode
• Live in an area where the program is available (like the U.S. or South Korea)
• Have an established online presence with a significant follower count
• Be known to follow Instagram’s community guidelines

How To Get Bonuses on Instagram: 4 Helpful Tips

The key to succeeding in scoring an invite to the bonus program is putting out engaging, exciting content. Not sure how to elevate your content, get Instagram to notice you, and start giving you bonuses? Here are four content-focused tips on how to get bonuses on Instagram.

1. Come Out With Relatable, Funny, Potentially Viral Content

One of the easiest ways to go viral on Instagram is by making people laugh. Amp up the humor in your content and create relatable videos and shareable memes. The funnier and more relevant it is to people’s lives, the more likely they’ll share it with others. That means more traction for your page and a chance to get invited to the bonus program.

2. Get Creative With How You Edit Your Reels

Another way to catch people’s attention is by editing your Reels as creatively as you can. Think quick cuts, clips that align with your audio’s beat, and green screen effects. Take advantage of Instagram’s editing tools, from transitions to filters to adding text overlays to your Reels. 

Don’t be afraid of using third-party tools to add special effects to Reels and make it more enjoyable to watch. It’s an easy way to elevate your video content and improve your storytelling!

3. Use Trending Audio Clips in the Background

Use a funny soundbite or trending pop song everyone loves in the background of your content. You can do this for both Reels and feed posts. 

Instagram’s algorithm pushes out content that uses popular elements, like trending audio clips. It makes your content more culturally relevant and timely, all while getting it more views. If it performs well, you boost your chances of getting some generous bonuses.

4. Participate in Challenges (But Add a Fresh Twist!)

Is there a specific Instagram challenge currently making waves that is aligned with your personal brand? Jump on the bandwagon and join the challenge! Participate in a fun community activity and post your entry for everyone to see.

You can join any challenge, from trendy dance challenges to artsy art challenges. Just remember to add your own twist to your post so that it stands out and gains more traction. The last thing you want is for your content to simply disappear in a sea of challenge posts. So, make sure yours is memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Score a Spot in the IG Bonus Program by Elevating Your Content!

Bonuses on Instagram are all about creating top-notch content and getting rewarded for them. If you want to get invited into the program, curate engaging, relatable, virality-worthy content people will enjoy. Before you know it, you’ll be swimming in cash and making money doing what you love!

The secret to getting into the Instagram bonus program is getting more eyes on your content. That’s something Path Social can help you with. We promote your content to the audience you’re trying to connect with, boosting your reach, engagement, and follower count. We’ve done it for creators like Terell Conyers —and we can do it for you! Get more eyes on your page and grow your Instagram community with Path Social today.