How to Check Instagram Monetization Eligibility

Thinking about turning your Instagram hustle into a legitimate income stream? The first step is figuring out if you're eligible for monetization. This guide walks you through exactly how to check your status inside the app, what Instagram's rules actually mean, and what you can do to meet the requirements for its various monetization programs.

Understanding Instagram's Core Monetization Requirements

Before you can earn a single dollar, your account must meet a few baseline standards. Think of these as the gatekeepers for all monetization features. No matter which program you're aiming for, you'll need to have these fundamentals in order first.

Every creator aspiring to monetize must follow:

• Community Guidelines: These are the standard rules for all of Instagram. They cover things like intellectual property rights, appropriate content, and authentic engagement. Violating these can get your account restricted or removed, instantly disqualifying you from earning money.
• Partner Monetization Policies: These policies are stricter and apply specifically to accounts that want to make money. They govern the type of content you create and how you present it. You can't monetize content about sensitive or controversial topics, posts with misinformation, or content that isn't original.
• Content Monetization Policies: A subset of the Partner Policies, these rules dictate the format of your monetizable content. For example, static videos with little to no motion, text-based slideshows, or looped videos are generally not eligible for programs like in-stream video ads.

Beyond the rules, you also need to meet some basic presence requirements, which generally include:

• Being at least 18 years old.
• Living in an eligible country (this varies by program).
• Having a Professional Account (Creator or Business).
• Possessing an established presence, often measured by a minimum number of followers (this also varies by program).

How to Check Your Monetization Status: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instagram makes it surprisingly easy to check where you stand. There's a dedicated section in your Professional Dashboard that tells you what you're eligible for and, more importantly, why you might not be eligible for certain features.

Finding Your Monetization Status in the App:

1. Navigate to Your Profile: Open the Instagram app and go to your profile page.
2. Open the Professional Dashboard: Tap the "Professional Dashboard" button located near the top of your profile, right under your bio.
3. Find Monetization Tools: Scroll down to the "Your Tools" section. You should see an option labeled "Monetization" or "Branded Content." Tap on it.
4. Review Your Status: The screen that opens will show you a list of monetization programs and your eligibility for each. You might see statuses like:
   • Eligible: Success! You meet the criteria and can set up this feature.
   • Not Yet Eligible: This status will often be accompanied by a checklist icon. Tapping it will show you exactly which criteria you haven't met yet (e.g., follower count, location).
   • In Review: This means you've applied, and Instagram is currently reviewing your account.
   • Policy Violations: A red flag icon indicates your account has violated a policy that prevents you from monetizing. Tapping this will give you more information on the violation so you can take corrective action.

Checking this dashboard regularly is a good habit. Instagram’s policies and feature availability can change, so staying informed helps you align your content strategy with your earning goals.

A Breakdown of Instagram Monetization Programs

Eligibility isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. Each monetization feature has its own set of specific requirements. Here’s a closer look at the main programs you'll find in your dashboard.

Instagram Subscriptions

Subscriptions allow your most dedicated followers to pay a monthly fee for exclusive content and a special badge. It's a powerful way to build a sustainable, recurring income stream directly from your community.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must have at least 10,000 followers.
• You must be located in an eligible country (currently Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States, but expanding).
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Your account must fully comply with the Partner Monetization and Community Guidelines.

Bonuses

The Bonuses program is an invite-only feature where Instagram pays you directly for creating high-performing content, particularly Reels. An invitation might appear in your Professional Dashboard, outlining a goal - such as achieving a certain number of views on your Reels within a month - and the maximum payout you can receive if you meet it.

Eligibility Requirements:

• This program is invite-only. Staying active and consistently posting engaging, original Reels is the best way to get noticed.
• You need fewer than 1 million followers to be eligible.
• You must follow all monetization policies. Content with watermarks from other platforms (like TikTok) is generally not eligible.

In-Stream Video Ads

Formerly known as IGTV Ads, in-stream video ads allow you to earn money from advertisements that play before, during, or after your long-form videos. This is most suitable for creators producing high-quality video content that can hold an audience's attention.

Eligibility Requirements:

• You must have at least 10,000 followers.
• You need a cumulative 600,000 minutes viewed in the last 60 days from a combination of videos on demand, and formerly, Live videos.
• You must live in an eligible country and be at least 18.
• Your account must have at least five active videos that could have in-stream ads run on them. Videos must be original and adhere to Content Monetization Policies (e.g., they can’t be static images with background music).

Badges in Live

Instagram Badges give your viewers a way to support you monetarily during a Live video. Viewers can purchase Badges (which look like hearts) to show their appreciation, and you get a share of the revenue. It’s an interactive way to monetize real-time engagement with your audience.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have an account in an eligible country.
• You must have at least 10,000 followers.
• You need an active professional creator or business account and must comply with Instagram monetization policies.
• Once again, you must be 18 years old or older to use this feature.

What to Do If You're Not Eligible... Yet

Seeing "Not Yet Eligible" can be disappointing, but don't let it discourage you. Instead, view it as a roadmap. The app usually tells you exactly what you need to work on. Here's a proven game plan to get your account monetization-ready.

1. Create Original, High-Quality Content

This is non-negotiable. Instagram is prioritizing creators who bring unique, engaging content to the platform. Steer clear of reposting memes, unedited clips from other creators, or content with visible watermarks from other platforms. Your content should be filmed and edited by you. Focus on providing value - whether that’s through entertainment, education, or inspiration.

2. Master Short-Form Video

Reels are the primary driver of growth and visibility on Instagram right now. Because the Bonuses program centers on Reels, becoming proficient with short-form video is a direct path toward monetization opportunities. Experiment with trending audio, engaging hooks, and unique editing styles to find what resonates with your audience.

3. Grow and Nurture Your Community

Follower counts are just one piece of the puzzle. An engaged community is far more valuable. Respond to comments, answer DMs, and go Live to connect with your audience. Building a loyal following not only helps you meet follower-based thresholds but also creates a foundation of supporters who are more likely to subscribe or purchase Badges down the road.

4. Be Consistent and Patient

Growing on Instagram and meeting monetization requirements doesn't happen overnight. It requires a consistent posting schedule to build momentum and signal to the algorithm that your account is active. Aim for a manageable frequency - whether that's 3-5 Reels a week or one high-quality video post per week - and stick with it for several months.

5. Review Your Account for Policy Violations

If your monetization status is blocked due to a policy issue, it's time for an audit. Carefully read the Partner Monetization Policies and comb through your existing content. Did you post anything that could touch on a sensitive topic? Do you have videos that use copyrighted music outside of Instagram's provided library? Do you repost a lot of unoriginal content? Archive or delete anything that infringes on the rules. After cleaning up your account, you can often request another review through the Professional Dashboard.

Final Thoughts

Checking your Instagram monetization eligibility is a straightforward technical process, but actually qualifying is a long-term strategic game. It all comes down to building an authentic brand, creating original content your community loves, and respecting the platform’s rules with every post you make.

We know that delivering high-quality, original content consistently is easier said than done, especially when you're managing multiple social media accounts. That’s precisely why we built Postbase. Our visual calendar lets you plan and organize your posts across all platforms, ensuring you never miss a beat, while our built-for-video scheduler reliably publishes Reels, Shorts, and TikToks without a hitch. This way, you can spend less time fumbling with tools and more time creating the content that'll get you paid.