Instagram Gifts: How You Can Use This Feature to Earn Money

Instagram expanded its “Gifts” feature in February 2023, and it gives brands and creators yet another opportunity to earn money. Whether or not you plan to take advantage of this new feature, it’s a good idea to learn how it works. That way, you can make an educated decision as to how to use this feature to your advantage.

When Did Gift Testing on Instagram Begin?

If you remember, Instagram first began testing gifts in November 2022. At that point, the feature had limited availability, but the platform is now expanding it. Now, more creators in the United States can access the feature. The ability to use Stars started with Reels, and it may expand in the future.

Are You Eligible?

While gifts are now more widely available than they were before, they are still not offered to every Instagram user. You can check if you are eligible by navigating to your Professional Dashboard.

If you still aren’t eligible, don’t worry. Instagram hopes to offer the feature to more users in the future.

How Gifts Work

When a supporter chooses to buy you a gift, they use Stars on the Instagram app. These Stars are virtual gifts with themes, giving your supporters the ability to choose the most creative ways to show their appreciation. Receiving those Stars can also mean that you earn money.

You will receive $0.01 USD for each Star that you receive from one of your fans. Instagram also takes a revenue share from stars, with Instagram’s share depending on the size of the Stars pack purchased. A portion of the Stars’ prices also goes to the mobile platform.

How Viewers Can Pay for Gifts

Gifts must be given through a user’s Stars balance. You can easily buy more Stars in the app using the payment methods you have stored in your Google Play Store or Apple Store account. If you want to add a payment method, you will have to update it in the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

How to Send Stars

If you want to send a Star or gift to another creator, you can follow the process. These are also the steps that your followers will take to give you Stars.

• 1. Go to the Reel in question.

• 2. Select “Send Gift.”

• 3. Tap on “Stars balance,” which is on the top right.

• 4. If you don’t have enough stars, choose how much to add to your Stars balance.

• 5. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the payment for your new Stars.

• 6. Select the gift to give.

• 7. Select “Send.”

• 8. There will be an on-screen notification letting you know that you sent a gift to the creator.

Once someone gives you a Star on a reel, they cannot get a refund for it.

How to Turn on Gifts

If you are eligible for gifts, you will still need to activate the feature to start earning money via it. To do so, do the following:

• 1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.

• 2. Select “Professional Dashboard.”

• 3. Find “Gifts” under “Your Tools.”

• 4. Select “Allow gifts on reels.”

If you ever decide to turn off gifts, follow the same steps as above, but move the toggle to “Off” in step four.

Viewing Your Gift Earnings

As with everything else on Instagram, the platform offers detailed analytics for gifts and Stars. Just go to your Professional Dashboard to see your total earnings as well as your monthly approximate earnings.

To view the information, do the following:

• 1. Open the Instagram App.

• 2. Navigate to your profile.

• 3. Tap on the “Professional Dashboard.”

• 4. Select “Your Tools.”

• 5. Select “Gifts.”

The approximate earnings since your last payout will appear at the top of the screen. To see the monthly and total earnings from gifts, select “See all.”

Receiving Payouts

Your earnings from gifts will be paid out when they reach $25. This $25 is your overall balance, including other monetization programs.

Creators on Instagram receive payouts about 21 days following the end of the month when the Stars were received. Every month, you will receive an invoice that includes the earnings from the last month’s pay period. You will also receive the payment for the month, as long as you earn at least $25. If you don’t reach the minimum earnings, your payout will be delayed until you do.

To view your payouts and change your payout account, navigate to your Professional Dashboard. From there, go to “Your Tools,” followed by “Gifts.” Finally, select “Payout Account.”

Are Instagram Gifts and Facebook Stars the Same?

The functionality behind Instagram Gifts and Facebook Stars on Reels are incredibly similar, but they are separate products. You will need to onboard each program separately. Additionally, users can’t buy Facebook Stars and then use them on Instagram or vice-versa.

Are Instagram Gifts the Same as Instagram Badges?

Another popular program is Instagram badges. Badges specifically let you earn money when going live.

To use this feature, you must have a professional account, whether it is a business account or a creator account. You will also have to set up a payout account. Then, you can easily enable badges by clicking on the “+” icon and going to “Live.” Just tap on “Badges,” and you are set. These are different from Stars and gifts, but both give your viewers a way to support you and help you monetize your account as well.

Conclusion

Instagram gifts give you another way to earn money from your Instagram account. Viewers can send you Stars on your Reels as a way to show their appreciation. You earn $0.01 for every Star received. You will receive a payout when your balance reaches $25, including any other Instagram monetization, such as badges.

You can view analytics about your gifts and adjust your payout account via your Professional Dashboard. This feature is still not universally available, but it is now more widely available than it was a few months ago.