Instagram is now offering U.S. creators significant payouts as part of a new initiative aimed at bringing more users to the platform. The program, called “Referrals,” has been quietly launched and is currently available by invitation only, Business Insider confirmed with Meta.
Under this limited six-week test running from May to June, creators can earn up to $20,000 in two distinct ways. The first is by receiving $100 for every new user who signs up for Instagram through a unique referral link. The second option pays $100 for every 1,000 new users who visit Instagram through the creator’s shared link.
Courtney Canfield, an Instagram creator known for running a page dedicated to her dog Rambo, who has over 36,000 followers, shared her experience with the program. She told Business Insider that she was offered the second payment method and could earn money based on how many new visitors arrive at Instagram via her profile, posts, stories, or other shared links.
How It Works and What to Expect
Instagram encourages participating creators to post links to their Instagram content on external platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. This cross-platform promotion aims to bring in new users by leveraging creators’ existing audiences elsewhere.
The effort aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to compete with other social media platforms by attracting fresh engagement and expanding Instagram’s reach. While the program is currently limited and only a select group of creators have been invited, it represents another example of how Meta is investing in creators as growth partners.
Though full details of how creators are selected or how the performance is tracked remain limited, Instagram may expand the program in the future, adds NIX Solutions. For now, it’s a short-term opportunity focused on the U.S. market.
This is an evolving story, and we’ll keep you updated as more information or additional opportunities become available.