With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram has become a highly lucrative platform for influencers and businesses to market products and services. But how many followers do you really need to start earning money on Instagram?
Can you get paid on Instagram with low followers?
Yes, it is possible to get paid on Instagram even if you have a relatively low number of followers. Here are some ways you can monetize Instagram with less than 1,000 followers:
- Affiliate marketing – Promote affiliate products and earn commissions when followers purchase through your links.
- Sponsored posts – Connect with brands in your niche to get paid for sponsored content.
- Sell your own products or services – Use Instagram as a storefront for your own physical or digital products.
- Instagram shopping – Tag products in your posts so followers can easily purchase them.
However, it’s important to note that the earnings potential is quite limited at this follower count. You’ll likely only earn a few dollars per sponsored post or make small commissions from affiliate links. But it can be a good way to start monetizing Instagram as you grow your audience.
How many Instagram followers do you need to make money?
While some income is possible with low followers, most influencers need a larger audience to earn meaningful money from brand sponsorships and collaborations. Here are some reasonable follower thresholds to start earning decent Instagram income:
- 1,000 followers – At this point, you can start getting free products in exchange for reviews and social promotion. Small affiliate commissions are also possible.
- 5,000 followers – Begin pitching to micro-influencers. Can potentially negotiate payments around $25-$75 per sponsored post.
- 10,000 followers – Earn $100+ per sponsored post. Get free products and services to review. Apply for influencer marketing networks.
- 50,000 followers – Consistently charge $250+ per sponsored post. Get paid for brand collaborations. Potential to negotiate percentage commission rates.
- 100,000+ followers – Earn $500+ per post. Get exclusive brand partnership deals. Can turn Instagram into a full-time business.
These are general estimates only – your specific niche, audience engagement, and Instagram strategy will impact your monetization potential. But in most cases, you’ll need at least 10,000 engaged followers to start earning meaningful income from brand sponsorships and affiliate promotions.
Instagram follower requirements for affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to start monetizing Instagram with any follower count. Here are some typical requirements to join major affiliate programs on Instagram:
| Affiliate Program | Minimum Followers |
|---|---|
| Amazon Associates | No minimum |
| RewardStyle | 5,000 followers |
| CJ Affiliate | 2,000 followers |
| Rakuten | No minimum |
| ShareASale | 2,500 followers |
As you can see, most major affiliate programs don’t have strict follower requirements. Amazon Associates and Rakuten let anyone join, while CJ, RewardStyle and ShareASale ask for 2,000 – 5,000 followers. So affiliate marketing is accessible even if you have a relatively small Instagram audience.
Typical Instagram rates based on followers
Follower count is one of the main factors that influences how much brands will pay for sponsored Instagram posts and stories. Here are typical earnings at different follower thresholds:
| Followers | Cost Per Post | Cost Per Story |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $5 – $20 | $10 – $20 |
| 10,000 | $50 – $150 | $30 – $75 |
| 50,000 | $150 – $300 | $75 – $150 |
| 100,000 | $500 – $1,000 | $150 – $300 |
| 500,000 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $500 – $1,000 |
| 1 million+ | $5,000+ | $1,000 – $2,500 |
These rates vary greatly based on your niche, content quality, audience engagement, and brand partnership. But in general, you can use these benchmarks to estimate potential Instagram earnings at different follower milestones.
Typical requirements for working with brands
When partnering with brands, there are some typical prerequisites they will want to see. Here are common requirements brands look for:
- 5,000+ engaged followers – Most brands require micro-influencers to have at least 5,000 real followers before considering paid partnerships.
- High engagement rate – This includes likes, comments, and story views. A 3-5% engagement rate on posts is ideal.
- Consistent posting – Regularly posting quality content shows you’re committed to growing your account.
- Relevant niche and audience – Your followers should match the brand’s target demographic and product niche.
- Positive brand image – Brands want to partner with influencers who have an authentic, professional image.
Meeting these criteria gives brands confidence that partnering with you will provide a good return on their marketing investment.
Do you need 10k followers to get verified on Instagram?
No, getting verified on Instagram is not exclusively based on having 10,000 followers. The blue verified badge is actually very difficult to get and having 10k followers alone does not guarantee verification. Here are some key facts about getting verified on Instagram:
- There is no specific follower requirement, but typically you need a substantial audience in the tens of thousands.
- You must represent a well-known, highly searched public figure, celebrity, global brand or entity.
- Accounts with impersonation risks are prioritized for verification.
- Submitting a verification request does not guarantee approval.
- Instagram manually reviews verification requests to confirm eligibility.
- Having an authentic, complete, and public profile will improve your chances.
So while getting over 10k real, engaged followers is a good goal, you should not expect verification right at that threshold. Focus on growing your audience, creating great content, and building your brand to potentially qualify for Instagram verification one day.
Do Instagram brand deals require a certain number of followers?
Most brand sponsorship deals do require a minimum Instagram follower count. While the specific requirements vary between brands, here are some typical thresholds brands look for:
- Micro-influencers – Typically 5,000 to 50,000 followers
- Mid-tier influencers – 50,000 to 500,000 followers
- Macro-influencers – 500,000 to 1 million followers
- Mega influencers – Over 1 million followers
Brands will evaluate influencers based on their follower count, engagement rates, niche, content quality, audience demographics, and partnership history. Reaching each tier unlocks higher earning potential from brand sponsorships.
How many followers do you need to go live on Instagram?
The follower requirements for going live on Instagram are:
- No minimum follower requirement for standard accounts
- 10,000 follower minimum for business and creator accounts
So anyone can go live on Instagram from a standard personal profile, but you’ll need 10k followers on a business or creator account. This policy encourages businesses and influencers to grow their audience before unlocking live video capabilities.
Conclusion
While some income is possible even with only 1,000 followers, most influencers need at least 10,000 engaged followers to start earning meaningful money from brand sponsorships and affiliate deals on Instagram. Typical rates range from $100 per post at 10k followers up to $5,000+ per post at 1 million+ followers. But follower count is just one eligibility factor – you also need high engagement, relevant niche/audience, strong brand reputation and consistent high-quality content. With the right Instagram strategy, you can gradually build up your follower count and unlock monetization opportunities over time.