As the world of social media grows, so does the opportunity to monetize content. Influencer marketing is one of the most popular methods of making money online. While there are currently many options available, two of the more popular options are Instagram and YouTube.
So, does Instagram pay more than YouTube? YouTube pays the most revenue to creators than Instagram does to influencers; however, creating engaging videos on YouTube requires a lot more time and effort. In addition, the amount of money you make on Instagram will depend on your engagement level. Instagram is the second most favorite social media platform, according to Kepios.
- If you are a “nano-influencer” with 10,000 to 50,000 active followers, you can expect to earn a couple of hundred dollars.
- If you have up to 1 million followers, you can charge about $10,000 per post, and with more than 1 million followers, you can start charging more than $100,000 per post.
Read on to discover the differences between Instagram and YouTube’s payout models. To maximize your earnings on Instagram, you also need to know when to post. If you want to know when Is the best time to post Reels on Instagram, I wrote a whole article that I encourage you to read.
Instagram Vs. YouTube for Monetization
When it comes to monetization, both Instagram and YouTube offer their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
On the one hand, YouTube allows you to generate revenue through ads, subscriptions, and sponsorships. On the other hand, Instagram has become increasingly popular with brands and influencer marketing due to its visual appeal and relative ease of use.
Ads on YouTube tend to generate more revenue than ads on Instagram due to the fact that viewers watch longer videos on YouTube than they do on Instagram.
In addition, YouTube has an option for ad-free subscriptions, which can further increase the revenue potential for content creators.
However, while the average revenue per view may be higher on YouTube than on Instagram, it is important to note that individual earnings will vary greatly depending on various factors, including audience size and engagement level.
I also believe that the type of content you produce can also impact your earning potential in a big way. For example, if you produce video content, you may find that your income is higher from YouTube than if you were only posting photos or stories on Instagram.
Similarly, if you have an engaged following, you may find that your income from either platform is higher than if you had a smaller following that was less engaged with your content.
If you want to know more about Instagram And YouTube and decide which one is better for you as an influencer, check out this article.
YouTube Vs. Instagram Payouts
YouTube is known for its advertising revenue model, meaning that content creators receive a set amount of money when their videos are watched.
The amount of money you earn on YouTube depends on factors such as the number of views, how many ads were played during the video, and whether or not viewers clicked on them. And because of all these variables, it can be difficult to calculate exactly how much one could earn with YouTube.
To get monetized, YouTube requires content creators to have at least 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours in order to join the Partner Program and start making money from ads.
On the other hand, Instagram pays out based on engagement metrics like likes and comments. For example, if a post gets 1 million likes, it will earn much more than one with just 100 likes. Additionally, this payment model does not require meeting minimums or any other qualifications; anyone with an account can start earning money immediately.
According to Time, Instagram is still effective; however, it is becoming increasingly saturated.
I don’t believe that your follower count limits your earning potential; however, generally, influencers with larger followings are likely to make more money than those with smaller followings, regardless of engagement rate.
If you want to maximize your earnings on Instagram, the best ways to monetize your Instagram include:
- Brand Partnership
- Affiliate Marketing
- Sponsorship
- Creating digital products like (eBooks)
- And selling Print on Demand products on your Instagram page
What to read next:
- Instagram Vs. TikTok: Which One Is Better for Influencers?
- 7 Easiest Ways to Make Money on Instagram without Selling Anything.
- What is an Instagram Brand Ambassador? And How to Be One.
Wrapping Up
So which platform should content creators choose if they want to monetize their work? Both platforms offer unique pros and cons depending on what content you want in terms of earnings potential and stability.
I suggest YouTube if you are comfortable creating longer videos (at least 10 minutes) because advertisers pay more per view on these types of videos compared to shorter ones. However, creating and growing a YouTube channel requires meeting certain requirements before capitalizing on ad revenue opportunities.
On the other hand, I recommend Instagram if you already have an established following because payments are based directly on engagement metrics rather than watch time or subscriber count, making it easier to estimate your earnings potential upfront.