Image Credit: Instagram

Badges in Instagram Live are a way for creators to earn money from fans who want to tip creators and increase their visibility.

Initially launched to a small number of creators and businesses in May last year, Instagram rolled out badges in Live to 50,000 creators in October last year. Starting earlier this week, Instagram have now enabled badges for all eligible creators in the US, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico.

Similarly to badges and star we’ve seen on other live streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Live, this feature allows creators to make a living, fans to support their favourite creators and potentially even get a shout-out. Fans can purchase multiple badges during live videos in $0.99, $1.99 and $4.99 increments. Creators will be able to see who sent badges, how many they’ve received total and their estimated earnings during a live stream. Fans who purchase badges will have heart(s) next to their usernames. For more in-depth earnings, tap “View” during your live video. To see the total badges count after the live, head to “Badges settings”.

Instagram also provides some tips for creators wanting to use badges in Live. Such as asking supporters what they want to see in your Live via Stickers, reminding fans that badges are enabled at the beginning, middle and end of your Live, and of course thank fans with a shout-out during the Live, afterwards with a DM or @ them in your Stories.

To apply for monetization, you must be eligible by complying with Instagram Partner Monetisation Policies, Community Guidelines, be 18+ and have a professional account (creator or business). To apply head to your profile, tap Professional dashboard, Grow Your Business tap Badges. Once you’ve been onboarded, tap the Badges icon on the left side of your “Going live” screen. Confirm that you want badges turned on, add a title, then go live. You’ll need your SSN or EIN number and bank or PayPal information ready to set up direct deposits to withdrawn the funds. You can change this info in “Settings”.

Did you know you can get your own music on Facebook and Instagram for free to start earning money every time your song is used in videos, Reels and Stories?