What are badges on Instagram live? What does a badge do?

Instagram Live badges are the latest feature aimed at helping influencers and creators to make money on Instagram.

Can I get Money from Instagram live?

In a nutshell, badges are monetary tips that viewers can contribute during an Instagram Live broadcast. This opens up a whole host of new opportunities for creators (from influencers to digital service providers, such as fitness instructors) to earn money.

What Are Instagram Live Badges?

Never heard of badges? They’re a new monetization concept on Instagram – and they’re about to go mainstream! Why? Because Instagram has just announced that Badges are being rolled out to all eligible creators in the US.

The concept of “badges” plays off a popular feature within Twitch and TikTok, which allows followers to “tip” a broadcaster during a live stream. Creator Jon Youshaei recently hosted a live session to demo exactly how the new feature will work:

According to Instagram’s press release: “Live has helped creators and businesses stay connected to their followers and bring people together [during the pandemic]. With badges, creators can generate income from the content they’re already creating.”

With the new feature, viewers can purchase a badge during a Live video that will stand out in the comments and unlock additional features, including placement on a creator’s list of badge holders and access to a special heart.

It’s a way for followers to show their support – while also becoming “VIP” community member. Visually plan your feed, schedule posts, and optimize your analytics for free with Later!

How Do Instagram Live Badges Work?

Badges are available in 3 different levels, based on the number of hearts available to purchase. Viewers can buy one heart for $0.99, two for $1.99, or 3 for $4.99.

What do Instagram live badges do?

Creators can see how many hearts a viewer has purchased thanks to a visual icon in the chat stream, making it easy to give them a shout out during the live broadcast.

This new revenue stream could make a real difference to how creators earn from their platform. In the future, every Instagram Live they host as the opportunity to make them money.

ICYMI: Instagram recently released a ton of new features to help influencers and creators make money on the platform – find out more here!

How to Get Instagram Live Badges for Your Profile

The good news is that badges are now coming to all eligible US-based creators. The bad news is that it’s still unconfirmed when the rest of the world will gain access – but Instagram’s Creator’s site states that it will be available in the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico soon.

Who Is Eligible for Instagram Live Badges?

To be eligible for Instagram Live Badges, creators must:

Have a professional account (creator or business)
Be 18+ years old
Comply with Instagram’s Partner Monetisation Policies and Community Guidelines.
Be in a region with access to the feature
Have 10K+ followers

How to Turn On Badges on Instagram

Once your region has access, you can turn on badges and start earning from your live videos. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to “Profile,” then “Professional dashboard,” tap “Grow your business,” then select “Badges.”

Step 2: Once you’ve been onboarded, head to the Live tab on stories. Tap the “badges” icon on the left side of your “Going live” screen. Confirm that you want badges turned on, add a title, and go live.

It’s that simple!

Instagram Live badges are a huge new monetization opportunity for creators on the platform – and a great opportunity to get creative.

Why Should Creators Try Instagram Live Badges?

Instagram live badges are still new. You may not have seen them yet on many accounts but they are still here to stay. Here’s why you should consider using them soon.

Monetization

The most obvious reason to use Instagram live badges is to capitalize on your influence. As a creator, you’re probably putting a lot of effort in your content and you want to be rewarded for it.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that it could turn into your full-time job, but it’s still a nice way to gather tips during your live videos. If you haven’t thought of monetizing your work in the past, this could be a good opportunity to experiment with it.

Discover Your Top Fans

Instagram live badges are not useful just for monetization. They can help you discover your top fans as part of your live streaming.

The option to access a list of those who bought badges during a live video allows you to learn more about your viewers, their favorite content, and the number of badges they are ready to purchase to support you.

You can even consider offering special features for those who purchase a set number of hearts (badges) or give them a shout-out to connect more with them. Relationship building and engagement are going to be easier!

Review Your Most ‘Loved’ Content

Another good reason to use Instagram live badges is to improve your future content. The number of badges you’re receiving on every live streaming can indicate how much your viewers enjoy your content.

For example, if you try a DIY video for a change and it earns more badges from your viewers, then it probably means that they want to see more similar content. Use this metric as part of your valuable learnings for content planning and future growth.

Expand Your Influence

Measuring your influence as a creator is not always easy. But there are many indicators that can help you review it. Live badges can help you measure your success during live streaming and your earnings over time.

As you are growing your audience, you will also be able to explore whether you’re expanding your influence (and your revenue stream) while improving your content ideas.

Can Others See My Badges?

Creators are able to see a list of badge holders on their live videos for up to 90 days.

All viewers are able to see your badge during the live streaming when you purchase it. The badge is displayed along with your username and it is highlighted differently based on the number of badges that you purchase.

Ideas On Making the Most Out of Instagram Live Badges

Another example of a live badge on Instagram. Thinking of how to use live badges to boost your account? Here are some ideas to help you prepare the ground for them.

Focus on Community Building

Before you think of your account’s monetization, you need to focus on community building. A growing and engaging community has more chances to buy live badges during your live sessions.

Start by building authentic connections with your viewers, get them excited about your content, and be as interactive as possible. As you’re growing your community, it will be easier to get them to ‘tip’ you by purchasing more live badges.

Give Your Viewers a Reason to Buy a Badge

Your viewers need your guidance to start using live badges. Give them a reason to start purchasing them.

It’s not enough to go live and expect your followers to start purchasing Instagram live badges. Chances are, you’ll need to guide them on how they work and why they need to purchase them.

Present the benefits through add-ons and special features or even give shout-outs to the first ones who buy badges in your live sessions.

Try Out New Ideas

Interested in being more creative with your live streaming? Use the live badges as an opportunity to try out new ideas. Find out what works best for your audience. What would convince them to buy more badges? Which types of live videos work better? The more you learn, the easier it will be for your future content.

Instagram Is Helping to Strengthen Relationships Between Creators and Fans

It is not uncommon for fans to feel that their favorite creators are out of reach, especially those with a higher following. Similarly, it is difficult for creators to identify the followers who support them the most among a sea of bots, lurkers, and observers who don’t have the best intentions.

Live Badges help to solve that problem by bridging the gap between creators and their biggest supporters, while facilitating more meaningful engagements during Live sessions.

How do you get a badge on Instagram live?

Badges in Live is available to all eligible creators in the US. In order to be eligible, make sure you comply with our Instagram Partner Monetization Policies, Community Guidelines, be 18+, and have 10k+ followers. Check your eligibility by going to your Professional Dashboard

How much is an Instagram badge?

Instagram users will see three options to purchase a badge during live videos: badges that cost $0.99, $1.99, or $4.99. On Instagram Live, badges will not only call attention to the fans’ comments, they also unlock special features, Instagram says

What do Instagram badges do?

Badges are essentially a monetization feature that allows people to “tip” their favorite creators. The idea behind badges is to simply allow fans to express their love through badges that they can purchase while watching a live video. And there is a reason for targeting live videos

How much money does 1k Instagram followers make?

Many brands will only offer you free products. But, some companies will pay $10 per 1,000 followers, while others pay over $800 per 1,000 followers. You can maximize the money you make when you publish sponsored photos