Instagram has launched a new incentive program, the “spring bonus,” aimed at rewarding select creators for their engaging content, including reels, photo carousels, and single-image posts.
This initiative is an invite-only test phase currently available to creators in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Instagram is hopeful about expanding this program to more creators in the future, as reported by Business Insider.
The “spring bonus” marks an effort by Instagram to diversify its monetization strategies for creators, especially after the platform ended its Reels Play Bonus program. The previous program offered financial rewards based on the viewership of videos, with creators earning between $500 and $1,000 monthly. The termination of this program had sparked dissatisfaction among users, although Instagram hinted at revising its approach to monetization, suggesting a more targeted run of the program in new markets, as mentioned to the Verge.
Program Details and Eligibility
The specifics of the Spring Bonus program include a cap on payouts, with some creators reporting a limit of $30,000 for a 30-day period.
It’s important to note that posts deemed as branded content, collab posts, or those carrying watermarks from third-party platforms are not eligible for monetization under this new scheme.
This development comes as Instagram faces stiff competition from TikTok, which has also been encouraging its users to post more photos and is rumored to be considering launching a standalone photo app. Despite this, Instagram has seen a significant increase in global download growth last year, with a 20% jump in downloads in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is in contrast to TikTok, which saw a 4% rise in the same period, with its daily active user growth reportedly flatlining.
Instagram’s introduction of the Spring Bonus program is a part of its broader efforts to offer more monetization options to creators, reflecting a strategic response to the competitive dynamics of the social media landscape and the evolving needs of its users and creators.
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