What is the Instagram Subscription Feature & How Does it Work?

Instagram has been on a roll over the past couple of years releasing new features to help creators better engage with their following while monetizing their accounts. Their newest feature, Instagram Subscriptions, allows you to share exclusive content and perks to your most loyal followers in exchange for a monthly fee. Identical to membership sites, Instagram has developed their own in-house version of a monthly subscription for creators to utilize.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how to make the most out of the new Instagram Subscription feature. 

What Are Instagram Subscriptions?

This is a service that allows creators to offer exclusive content and unique experiences to their most loyal followers in return for a recurring monthly fee. Instagram's subscription feature is currently available in limited countries, with plans to roll it out globally. This is a simple way to add an additional stream of income for creators and influencers alike, be sure to read more about How You Can Maximize Revenue with Memberships and Digital Products.

Instagram Subscriptions Key Features

Instagram subscriptions come with various features that allow creators to engage with their subscribers and offer personalized content. Some of the key features include:

• Subscriber stories: Creators can offer stories or live videos that are exclusive to their subscribers. This is noted by the purple story ring around your profile photo and will be automatically saved to a highlight only seen by subscribers. 
• Subscriber chats: This feature enables direct messaging between creators and their subscribers, allowing for deeper engagement. You can host Q&A’s, share updates, and even chat “just because” with your community. 
• Subscriber Lives: The perfect combination of traditional Instagram Live and Subscriber Chats; Subscriber Lives allows you to talk in real time with your most loyal followers.
• Subscriber Badges: This badge notes that a follower is a subscriber of yours. You’ll be able to see the purple badge by their name the same way you see a blue-check by a verified user's name. This is an easy way for your followers to stand out and feel special.
• Exclusive Reels: Creators can offer premium content, such as behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, and vlogs. You would post this like normal content, but just before hitting share, tap the “share with subscribers only” option.
• Instagram Broadcast: A new feature where you can create a channel to share subscriber or member only information.

Benefits of Instagram Subscriptions

Instagram Subscriptions offers several benefits to creators looking to monetize their accounts:

1. It helps you grow your creator business: Instagram Subscriptions allows creators to charge for their content and offer personalized experiences to their subscribers. This can help sustain their business and attract new audiences. 
2. Predictable income stream: With a steady stream of recurring monthly fees, creators can have a more predictable income stream compared to relying solely on sponsorships or brand deals. 
3. Deeper engagement: Instagram Subscriptions allow creators to connect with their most loyal fans in a new and more intimate way. This can help foster a sense of community, and creators can offer more personalized experiences to their audience. Fans are looking for new ways to connect within their online communities and membership options have become the new wave. If you're interested, consider reading more about The Future of Creator Memberships.

How to Set Up Instagram Subscriptions?

Before setting up Instagram Subscriptions, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet:

1. Be at least 18 years old: You must be an adult to use Instagram Subscriptions.
2. Live in a country where Instagram Subscriptions are available: Currently, Instagram Subscriptions are available to creators in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States.
3. Have a professional account with at least 10,000 followers: Instagram Subscriptions are currently only available to creators with a professional account (business or creator account).
4. Meet Instagram Partner Monetization Policies and Content Monetization Policies
5. Comply with Instagram's Community Standards

How to Set Up Instagram Subscriptions?

Follow these steps to set up Instagram Subscriptions:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and open your Professional Dashboard.
2. Tap Subscriptions and Get Started.
3. Agree to the Instagram Subscription Creator Terms of Use.
4. Now you can set the price of your monthly subscription. Instagram offers a calculator where you can estimate what your monthly income may be based on your follower count.
5. Once you publish your subscription page, your followers will automatically get a notification in their activity feed to subscribe.
6. Once you have set up your subscriptions, start promoting them on your social media channels and encourage your followers to subscribe. 

How Much Can You Charge?

Instagram Subscriptions come with a range of pricing options, which can vary depending on your audience, niche, and the type of content you’re offering. The current pricing options range from $0.99 to $99.99 per month. The amount you charge for your subscriptions will depend on the value you're offering, the exclusivity of your content, and your target audience.

How to Receive Payouts?

To receive payouts from Instagram Subscriptions, you’ll need to add a payout account to your profile:

1. Go to the Professional dashboard and select the Payouts option.
2. Click Update Payout Method.
3. Choose the type of account you want to connect to your subscription account, it must be either a bank or PayPal account

You will have to earn at least $100 before you are able to receive your first payout from Instagram Subscribers.

4 Tips to Get Subscribers on Instagram

Getting subscribers on Instagram can sometimes be challenging, but here are a few tips to help you promote your subscriptions effectively:

1. Create quality content constantly: Consistency is key on Instagram, and your followers expect regular updates from you. Make sure you offer them exclusive content that's worth their subscription fee.
2. Promote your subscriptions on your social media channels: Use your social media platforms to promote your subscription, and encourage your followers to subscribe.
3. Offer unique experiences to your subscribers: Subscribers pay for exclusivity and unique experiences. Create personalized content different from what you're offering on your regular Instagram account.
4. Collaborate with other creators: Collaborating with other creators within your niche can help you gain more visibility and attract new subscribers. 

If you are looking for ways to get subscribers for membership sites outside of just Instagram Subscriptions, be sure to learn about 5 Memberships Strategies from Fourthwall Creators.

FAQs

Which countries are supported with Instagram Subscriptions?

Currently, Instagram subscriptions are available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. You can check out Instagram’s eligibility requirements for the most up to date list of eligible countries. 

Are there restrictions or deliverables for having Instagram Subscriptions?

The content must be exclusive and cannot contain nudity, hate speech, spam, or illegal activities. Also, subscription accounts must create a minimum of one post per month to remain eligible. 

How do I know who has subscribed to my Instagram account?

As a creator, you can use the Instagram Creator Studio to track who has subscribed to your account. The Creator Studio provides analytics that allow creators to monitor their subscription activity.

Can I change the price of my Instagram Subscription? 

Yes, you navigate to Subscription Settings and tap Monthly Price where you will be able to change the price of your Subscription. Keep in mind that any subscribers who signed up before you changed your price will continue paying the same amount. Only new subscribers will pay the new price.

Get Subscribers Now

Instagram Subscriptions offers a great opportunity for creators to monetize their accounts and offer personalized content to their subscribers. It’s an easy, in-house option for testing membership models with your following. If you are looking to commit more seriously to the membership model that has taken the creator industry by storm, consider checking out why other creators use Fourthwall for Memberships.

At Fourthwall, we empower creators and influencers to build their brand and monetize their business. Check out our platform to find more ways to monetize your brand using our membership options. Start today and take the first step towards building your brand and monetizing your passion.

If you're looking for other ways to monetize your content on Instagram, be sure to read our Instagram Monetization Guide.