Instagram Tests Referral Program Offering Creators Up to $20,000

 

In its latest push to attract and reward content creators, Instagram is trialing a new invite-only referral program in the U.S. This Instagram referral program is designed to help creators earn money on Instagram by driving new sign-ups and traffic to the platform. Select participants in this creator referral program can earn up to $20,000 between May and June, depending on their performance.

How the Program Works

Under the pilot, Instagram offers two earning models:
$100 for every eligible sign-up through the creator’s unique referral link, or
$100 for every 1,000 qualified visits driven to the app via their shared links.

This Instagram monetization feature is part of Meta’s broader strategy to grow Instagram's user base by leveraging its creator community. The program aims to pull creators—and their audiences—away from competing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Substack.

Creator Incentives and Payouts

All payouts in the social media earnings program are being managed by Glimmer, a third-party service provider. The campaign is expected to run for six weeks, with a maximum payout cap of $20,000 per creator. By providing direct financial incentives, Meta hopes to foster increased engagement and content sharing on Instagram.

This test is the latest in Instagram’s growing suite of creator tools and monetization features aimed at empowering influencers and content producers. From Reels bonuses to subscription models, Instagram is continuously evolving to become a more creator-friendly platform. The referral initiative is not only a way to monetize Instagram content but also to turn creators into growth engines for the platform.

If successful, the program could expand to more users globally and become a permanent feature of Instagram monetization tools. For creators looking to monetize their Instagram presence, this pilot program offers an exciting new opportunity. By testing innovative monetization models like this Instagram referral program, Meta underscores its commitment to making Instagram a leading hub for creators in the rapidly evolving creator economy.