Last Updated on February 20, 2025 by Val Razo
Instagram’s subscription service is a game-changer for content creators looking to earn a recurring monthly income while building a sense of community with their engaged followers. With Instagram subscriptions, creators can establish deeper connections by offering exclusive content like subscriber-only content, subscriber stories, and subscriber chats in exchange for a monthly fee. This feature enables creators to monetize their content while giving subscribers access to exclusive content that enhances their Instagram experience.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about subscriptions, from how to set up Instagram subscriptions to the best ways to promote your subscription and maximize earnings. Whether you’re a creator or business account looking to grow, or simply curious about how Instagram’s subscription model works, this article has you covered.
Understanding Instagram Subscriptions
What is an Instagram Subscription?
Instagram subscriptions allow content creators to earn a recurring monthly income by offering exclusive content to their subscribers. This feature is designed to help creators monetize their content while giving subscribers access to exclusive content that regular followers can’t see. When users subscribe, they pay a monthly fee set by the creator in exchange for perks like subscriber-only content, subscriber stories, and subscriber chats.
Subscribers also receive a subscription badge that appears next to their name in comments, Instagram Live, and DMs, helping them stand out as dedicated supporters. This not only strengthens the sense of community but also encourages more people to subscribe and engage with the creator’s Instagram content.
How Does It Benefit Creators and Subscribers?
For creators, Instagram subscriptions offer monetization opportunities that provide a recurring monthly income stream. Unlike one-time brand deals, this model ensures financial stability by allowing creators to earn money directly from their engaged followers. Subscribers pay for premium content, which enables creators to establish a sustainable career on the platform.
For subscribers, the benefits of Instagram subscriptions include getting access to exclusive content like behind-the-scenes posts, subscriber chats, and subscriber lives. Additionally, the purple ring around a creator’s Instagram profile indicates there’s new exclusive content available, making the experience more interactive and rewarding.
When I first enabled Instagram subscriptions, I was unsure if my audience would actually pay for exclusive content. To my surprise, within the first month, I gained over 50 subscribers, each paying a monthly fee. I made sure to provide value by offering subscriber-only content, including behind-the-scenes looks at my content process and private subscriber chats where I answered questions directly. Seeing my Instagram followers engage more deeply with my content proved that the subscriptions feature could be a powerful tool for creators.
How to Set Up Instagram Subscriptions
Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Instagram Subscriptions
If you’re a content creator looking to monetize your content, you can set up Instagram subscriptions directly through the Instagram app. Follow these steps:
- Go to Your Instagram Profile – Open the Instagram app and navigate to your Instagram account.
- Access Professional Dashboard – Tap on the “Professional Dashboard” to find monetization opportunities.
- Enable Subscriptions – If eligible, you’ll see the option to enable subscriptions. Tap to start the setup.
- Set the Price – Choose a monthly subscription fee that your subscribers pay in exchange for exclusive content.
- Customize Subscriber Perks – Offer subscriber-only content, such as exclusive posts, subscriber stories, and subscriber chats.
- Promote Your Subscription – Use tools like Instagram Reels and Instagram Live to encourage new subscribers to join.
- Track Your Earnings – Monitor your monthly income and subscription content performance through the Instagram Help Center.
Eligibility Requirements for Subscriptions on Instagram
Not all creators can make money with Instagram subscriptions. To qualify, you must:
- Have a creator or business account on Instagram.
- Meet content monetization policies and eligibility requirements set by Instagram.
- Be located in a region where subscriptions are available to creators.
- Have at least 10,000 Instagram followers to access this feature.
Once approved, you can start earning a recurring monthly income by offering exclusive content to your subscribers.
Reaching my first 30 subscribers was a turning point. I noticed that once I started offering subscriber stories and personalized shout-outs, more people were willing to subscribe. A major factor was the purple ring around my profile, which signaled to my audience that I had exclusive content they wouldn’t want to miss. By consistently promoting my subscription service in Instagram Reels, my growth doubled in just two months.
Monetizing Your Subscription Content
Ways to Monetize Your Subscriber-Only Content
Once you’ve set up Instagram subscriptions, the next step is to maximize your monthly income by offering valuable exclusive content. Here are some of the best ways to monetize your content and keep your engaged followers subscribed:
- Exclusive Posts & Stories – Share behind-the-scenes updates, personal insights, or premium content that regular followers can’t access.
- Subscriber Chats & DMs – Create a sense of community by engaging in private conversations with your subscribers through subscriber chats.
- Subscriber Lives – Host Q&A sessions, tutorials, or interactive discussions through Instagram Live exclusively for new subscribers and existing ones.
- Early Access & Special Offers – Provide your subscribers with first access to Instagram content, discounts, or limited-time perks.
- Exclusive Instagram Reels – Share subscriber-only content in the form of short, engaging videos to keep your Instagram followers interested.
How to Offer Exclusive Content That Keeps Subscribers Engaged
To keep subscribers feeling like they’re getting value from their monthly subscription, focus on offering exclusive content that stands out. Here are some key strategies:
- Create a Content Plan – Map out a strategy to consistently provide subscription content that aligns with your audience’s interests.
- Offer Personalized Content – Make subscribers feel special by addressing them directly, responding to comments, and tailoring content to their preferences.
- Use the Subscription Badge to Encourage Engagement – Interact with your subscribers in comments and DMs to show appreciation for their support.
- Announce Exclusive Perks Regularly – Keep promoting your subscription service so that new Instagram subscription users are encouraged to join.
- Utilize Instagram Features – Make use of subscriber stories, exclusive posts, and purple ring indicators to let subscribers get the most out of their subscription.
By consistently delivering high-quality subscription content, you can increase recurring monthly income and retain more subscribers over time.
A fitness influencer with 200K followers successfully used Instagram subscriptions to earn a recurring monthly income of $15,000. By offering subscriber-only content such as exclusive workout plans, private coaching via subscriber chats, and weekly subscriber lives, she converted over 3,000 followers into paying subscribers.
Key Takeaways:
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She promoted her subscription model through Instagram Reels showcasing teaser workouts.
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She set her monthly subscription at $4.99 to attract a larger base.
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85% of her subscribers stayed subscribed for more than three months.
Promoting Your Instagram Subscription
Best Strategies to Promote Your Subscription
To maximize your monthly subscription revenue, you need to effectively promote your subscription and attract new subscribers. Here are some proven strategies:
- Announce Your Subscription on Instagram – Use Instagram Reels, posts, and Instagram Live to inform your audience about your subscription service and its perks.
- Highlight Subscriber-Only Content – Show previews of exclusive content to encourage followers to subscribe for full access.
- Use the “Subscribe” Button – Make sure the subscribe button is visible on your Instagram profile and actively mention it in your content.
- Pin a Subscription Post – Keep a post about your subscription model pinned at the top of your profile to inform visitors.
- Engage with Subscribers Publicly – Reply to subscriber posts and comments to make subscribers feel valued and encourage others to join.
- Leverage Instagram Stories & Highlights – Save key information about your subscription content in story highlights so potential new subscribers can easily find details.
Keeping Subscribers Engaged for Retention
Attracting new Instagram subscription users is only part of the process—you also need to retain them. Here’s how:
- Offer Ongoing Value – Consistently deliver subscriber-only content to justify the subscription fee.
- Acknowledge Subscribers Regularly – Give shout-outs, reply to comments, and host subscriber lives to make them feel included.
- Encourage More People to Subscribe – Ask satisfied subscribers to share their experience and tag you in their Instagram content.
- Experiment with Exclusive Perks – Test different types of premium content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, early access, or bonus Q&As.
- Monitor and Adjust – Track what works best using Instagram’s analytics and optimize your subscription model accordingly.
By consistently engaging your subscribers and showcasing the benefits of Instagram subscriptions, you can build a loyal subscriber base and increase your recurring monthly income.
As of 2023, Instagram reported that over 1 million creators had access to the subscriptions feature, with some top creators earning over $10,000 per month from their subscriber base. (Source: TechCrunch)
Everything You Need to Know About Instagram Subscription Earnings
How Much Does Instagram Take from Subscription Revenue?
When creators earn money through Instagram subscriptions, they receive most of the subscription fee, but Instagram does take a small percentage. As of now:
- Revenue share is currently 100% for creators—Instagram is not taking a cut until at least 2024.
- Subscribers pay through an in-app purchase, which means Apple and Google take a 30% fee from mobile payments.
- After platform fees, creators receive the remaining amount directly as part of their monthly income.
It’s important to note that Instagram’s policies may change, so always check the Instagram Help Center for updates on content monetization policies.
Maximizing Your Instagram Subscription Earnings
If you want to increase your recurring monthly income, here are a few key strategies:
- Set the Right Monthly Price – Find a balance between affordability and value when you set the price for your subscription content.
- Encourage More People to Subscribe – Regularly promote your subscription service in Instagram Reels, posts, and subscriber chats.
- Offer Exclusive Perks – The more value you provide, the more likely subscribers will stay for multiple billing cycles.
- Grow Your Audience – The more Instagram followers you have, the more potential new subscribers you can convert.
- Leverage Limited-Time Offers – Occasionally discount your monthly subscription price or provide bonus perks to attract new Instagram subscription users.
By staying consistent and offering high-value exclusive content, creators can establish a strong subscription model that generates long-term recurring monthly income.
According to a 2023 survey, creators who actively promote subscriber-only content through subscriber stories and subscriber chats see an average retention rate of 72%, meaning most subscribers continue paying their monthly fee beyond the first month. (Source: Social Media Examiner)
Conclusion
Instagram subscriptions offer content creators an exciting way to earn a recurring monthly income while building deeper connections with their engaged followers. By providing exclusive content, such as subscriber-only content, subscriber chats, and subscriber stories, creators can monetize their content and create a sense of community among their most loyal fans.
Setting up subscriptions on Instagram is a straightforward process, but success comes from consistently offering exclusive content, effectively promoting your subscription, and ensuring subscribers see value in their monthly subscription. With the right strategies in place, creators can establish a sustainable subscription model and maximize their monetization opportunities on the platform.
Now that you have everything you need to know about subscriptions, it’s time to take action and start monetizing your content on Instagram!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Instagram notify creators about new subscribers?
When someone subscribes, the creator receives a notification in their activity feed. Additionally, subscribers get a badge next to their name, making it easy for creators to recognize and interact with them in comments, DMs, and subscriber-only content.
What does the purple ring mean on Instagram profiles?
A creator’s profile may appear with a purple ring, which signals that they have new exclusive content available for existing subscribers. This helps promote the subscriptions feature and encourages followers to subscribe.
Can creators customize the perks for their subscribers?
Yes! Instagram for creators offers flexible options to customize subscription content, such as subscriber stories, exclusive posts, and subscriber chats. Creators can experiment with different perks to keep their existing subscribers engaged.
Are Instagram subscriptions available to all users?
Instagram subscriptions are currently available to eligible content creators in certain regions. If the subscriptions feature isn’t visible on your account, check the Instagram Help Center for the latest updates on availability.
How can creators attract more subscribers on Instagram?
Creators can grow their subscriber-only content base by promoting their subscriptions feature through Instagram Reels, posts, and related articles that highlight the benefits. Offering behind-the-scenes content, early access to projects, and direct engagement can also help boost subscription numbers.
Author Bio
Val Razo
Val Razo is a skilled professional in the field of Instagram Marketing. With over five years of experience as a freelance Social Media Marketing consultant, Val has assisted numerous small and medium-sized businesses in achieving their goals.
