How many followers do you need on Instagram to get paid? (2026)

A recent article from Hootsuite reveals that having a large number of followers on Instagram is not a requirement to make money on the platform. In fact, some monetization options are available to users with as few as 500 followers. This challenges the common assumption that a large following is necessary to earn money on Instagram.

This news matters for social commerce because it opens up opportunities for smaller creators and influencers to monetize their content on Instagram. With various options such as Gifts, Subscriptions, and brand deals available to users with smaller followings, the platform is becoming more accessible to a wider range of users. This shift has the potential to democratize the creator economy and provide more opportunities for users to earn money on the platform.