Instagram Tests Subscriptions For U.S. Creators

Instagram is testing a new way for creators to make money: subscriptions.

The feature was initially spotted on the App Store in November 2020 but is now officially in testing mode. Currently, the social platform is testing the feature with a small group of creators based in the U.S. who will be able to offer their followers paid access to exclusive Instagram content such as live videos and stories.

Instagram users who choose to subscribe to these creators will receive a special badge to help them stand out in the comments section and creators’ inboxes.

Currently, only 10 U.S. creators have access to the new feature:

Through the subscription feature, creators can choose their own price point, ranging from $0.99 per month to as much as $99.99 per month.

Once a subscriber has paid, they will gain access to exclusive subscriber-only content, such as stories that been saved as highlights. Additionally, subscribers will also be alerted to exclusive broadcasts. Those looking to sign up for their favorite creator content can do so within the Instagram app.

For now, Instagram will not be taking a cut from creators’ revenues.

Additionally, while there is not a dedicated section for subscription analytics at this point, creators will be able to access their total estimated earnings from subscriptions, count of total subscribers, new subscriptions as well as cancellations from their subscription settings.

At this point, creators will not be able to export their subscriber lists or sort data. Instagram, however, hopes to build tools that would allow them to do so in the future.

Originally published at https://retailbum.com on January 20, 2022.