These days, it seems as though creator funds, bonuses, and other monetization options are getting canceled (whether literally or figuratively) on every platform, leaving creators frustrated by their dwindling payouts. But Meta is trying to turn this around. On Tuesday, Meta announced that it’s expanding “Ads on Reels” — a performance-based monetization program that it’s been testing since last year — on both Facebook and Instagram.
That means creators can soon expect to earn more from their Reels. Keep reading for everything we know so far.
How the Ads on Reels payout model works
Unlike typical ad revenue-sharing programs, Meta’s Ads on Reels determines payouts for creators based on the number of plays of their Reels — not how much ad revenue they bring in. So, the more plays your Reels get, the bigger your payout will be.
After about a year of testing this program, Meta has decided that performance-based payouts are the way to go:
“With a performance-based model, creators can focus on the content that’s resonating with their audience and helping them grow; advertisers get access to more ad inventory to reach more people; and people get a more consistent viewing experience with more relevant ads.”
This program isn’t widely available yet, so you’ll need an invite from Meta to be part of the testing group.
Who’s eligible for Reels revenue-sharing?
Right now, the Ads on Reels program is available on Facebook for creators that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be invited to the program or already onboarded to in-stream ads.
- Have a professional Facebook profile or a Facebook Page.
- Comply with Facebook’s Partner Monetization Policies and Content Monetization Policies.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a resident of one of these eligible territories.
Since this is a restricted test, Facebook will only be inviting “thousands” of creators to join in — no word on an exact number. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll be part of this test, you might have a better chance of receiving an invite in the coming weeks if you previously participated in the now-axed Reels Play bonus program on Facebook.
To know if you’ve been invited, go to the Professional Dashboard on Facebook, then the Monetization Tools screen. If you see Ads on Reels, it means you’ve been invited to the program!
So what about Reels creators on Instagram? Meta said it’ll begin testing a similar program with “a small group of creators and advertisers in select markets.” However, it hasn’t yet shared what these markets are or how many creators will get an invitation.
What the Ads on Reels program means for creators
When Meta paused its Reels Play bonus back in March, some Instagram creators lost a big channel for revenue. While there aren’t any widely available numbers that show how much creators can expect to earn from Ads on Reels, knowing that Meta is testing this program will likely be reassuring for those who specialize in short-form video, or have the majority of their audience on Instagram.
After all, many other platforms have announced new monetization options for short-form content this year. For instance, TikTok recently made its Creativity Program Beta available to all eligible U.S. creators, while YouTube launched its ad revenue-sharing model for YouTube Shorts. So, Meta is certainly playing catch-up.
Only time will tell just how profitable revenue-sharing will be on Instagram Reels. Watch this space for any further updates.
Not sure how to monetize your Reels?
If you’re still waiting on your invite from Meta, don’t worry! There are many, many other ways you can start earning as an Instagram creator. Check out our guide to making money on Instagram, which covers everything from partnering with brands to making affiliate income and more.
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