10 Ways to Make Money on Instagram in Canada

With around 20 million Canadian users, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in Canada. And while it’s great for sharing photos and videos of your dream vacation or restaurant meals, you can also use the Instagram app to make extra cash—either as a side hustle or potentially as a new career.

Here are 10 ways to make money on Instagram in Canada.

1. Sell Subscriptions

How much you can make: US$0.99 – US$99.99 per Subscription.

How it works: With Instagram Subscriptions, you can offer exclusive content and experiences to your followers. You can host exclusive Lives, host chats for up to 30 subscribers, and share subscriber-only posts and Reels. Subscribers pay a monthly fee, providing ongoing income for you, and they also get a special badge to help their comments stand out.

• What to watch out for

  • Time commitment. Building a following of people who are willing to pay for your content takes time.
  • Eligibility requirements. You’ll need at least 10,000 followers to be eligible to offer Subscriptions.
  • Balancing act. You’ll need to find a way to offer plenty of exclusives to subscribers while still offering engaging content for non-paying viewers.

• Tips to succeed

  • Take advantage of promotions. Use special Instagram promos designed to help you attract and keep subscribers, like the lifetime promo that gives your next five subscribers a 50% discount.
  • Stick to a schedule. Regularly post and share exclusive content so that your subscribers know what to expect and can get value for their money.
  • Acknowledge subscribers. Make it worth your subscribers’ while by responding to their comments, offering plenty of perks and giving them shoutouts when possible.

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2. Partner with brands to create sponsored content

How much you can make: Varies depending on how many followers you have, your content niche and the brands you partner with. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, a nano influencer with less than 10,000 followers can make between $10 and $100 per post.

How it works: Instagram’s Creator Marketplace provides a platform for you to connect with brands to form branded content partnerships. Select the brands and interests that are relevant to you, continue posting content to build your following, and brands will invite you to collaborate on paid projects.

• What to watch out for

  • Check the fine print. Read the project details closely to find out exactly what the brand requires you to do. This will ensure that you nail the brief.
  • Different payment structures. Some projects pay a flat rate, others pay you with gifted products, and some are paid per piece of content depending on the campaign’s performance.
  • Disclose paid partnerships. You’ll need to make sure that you always add a paid partnership label to sponsored content.

• Tips to succeed

  • Know your niche. Brands are looking for creators that match the interests, needs and passions of their target audience perfectly. Pick a niche that you know inside out and are passionate about (and that preferably has a target audience with a lot of disposable income).
  • Be prepared to say no. If a brand is not a good fit for your Instagram profile and interests, don’t be afraid to turn down a proposed partnership.
  • Pitch your services. Rather than waiting for brands to come to you, take the initiative and prepare a professional pitch to try to attract sponsorships.

3. Get gifts from fans

How much you can make: US$0.01 for every Star your Reels receive from fans.

How it works: When your fans want to show their support for your content, they can buy virtual gifts to share with you. Fans choose from different gift packages they want to purchase, then leave Stars on your Reels to show their appreciation.

• What to watch out for

  • Low value. With 1 Star working out to 1 US cent, you’ll need to be gifted a lot of Stars to see significant earnings.
  • Follower requirement. You’ll need at least 500 followers to be eligible to receive Instagram gifts.
  • Payments may be slow. According to the Gifts terms and conditions, payments will be made within approximately 60 days of the end of the month in which your Reels receive gifts.

• Tips to succeed

  • Use trial Reels. Trial Reels allow you to experiment with new content ideas, testing them out by sharing them with non-followers before deciding if it’s suitable to share with your fans.
  • Be authentic. Audiences can spot a fake from miles away, so be your authentic self to build a loyal fanbase.
  • Say thanks. It’s only polite to thank your fans for their gifts and to show them that they’re appreciated.

4. Set up an Instagram Shop

How much you can make: Varies depending on what you are selling.

How it works: The Shops feature lets you display products for sale on both Instagram and Facebook. This makes it easy for followers to browse your catalogue of products and explore different items. Buyers can check out via Instagram or Facebook, but as of June 2025, Shops is transitioning to directing customers to your own website to check out.

• What to watch out for

  • Requirements. You’ll need to create a Facebook business page and an Instagram business page to set up your Shop.
  • Limits on customization. Instagram Shops don’t offer the same level of customization as your own dedicated online store.
  • Upcoming changes. At the time of writing, the management of checkouts and post-purchase experiences on Shops is undergoing several changes, so there could be some upheaval while these changes take effect.

• Tips to succeed

  • Highlight products. Facebook’s Commerce Manager allows you to create a collection of products that you can feature in your Shop to attract customers.
  • Customize your storefront. Help your Shop stand out by featuring specific products, collections or promotional banners on your homepage.
  • Make the most of ads. Use Instagram ads with product tags to reach a wider audience and increase sales.

5. Affiliate marketing

How much you can make: As a rough guide, you can generally expect to earn a commission of between 5% and 20% per sale.

How it works: Affiliate marketers earn a commission by promoting another company’s product and generating sales. You can create content about a particular product or brand and include a trackable link or promo code. If your content leads to a sale, you’ll get paid a commission.

• What to watch out for

  • Time commitment. Building a following of Instagram users who will listen to your product recommendations takes time.
  • Competitive market. It can be difficult to make your content stand out in a crowded marketplace.
  • Changing rates. Changes to the commission rates of different affiliate marketing programs can impact your income.

• Tips to succeed

  • Choose the right products. The products and brands you promote should be highly relevant to your target audience. If they’re not, you’ll not only fail to generate clicks and sales, but your audience might also switch off.
  • Post demos and reviews. Show potential buyers how the products you’re selling work in the real world with demonstrations and in-depth reviews of different features.
  • Review and refine. Use Instagram Insights and affiliate program analytics to evaluate the success of your campaigns and figure out which content types work best.

6. Sell your own merch

How much you can make: Varies greatly depending on how many followers you have and what you’re selling. Expect earnings to start at a few dollars per sale.

How it works: You can use Instagram to market and sell merchandise related to your own specific brand and niche. From coffee mugs and bookmarks to t-shirts, hats and hoodies, there’s a wide range of gear you can sell to your followers. You can also include catchphrases you regularly use in your content and look for products that suit your target audience—as an example, influencers in the pet niche might develop their own range of designer dog jackets.

• What to watch out for

  • Algorithm changes. Changes to Instagram’s algorithm could impact your ability to reach new customers.
  • Not designed for e-commerce. Instagram’s primary focus is photo and video sharing, so you’ll find better customization options and analytics on dedicated e-commerce platforms.
  • Time and effort required. You’ll need to put in consistent effort over an extended period of time to develop a loyal fanbase willing to spend money on your merch.

• Tips to succeed

  • Use discount codes. Everyone loves a bargain, so provide exclusive discount codes to your followers to help drive sales.
  • Choose the right print-on-demand company. Research print-on-demand providers thoroughly to make sure you find a reliable company, and order product samples to test quality before forming a partnership.
  • Run giveaways. Offer special contests and giveaways to help generate buzz and FOMO around your merch.

7. Create user-generated content

How much you can make: Rates start at approximately $50 to $100 per post, but you could potentially earn much more if you have a large following.

How it works: User-generated content (UGC) is content created by real people using products in the real world, as opposed to ads and promotional material developed by brands and advertisers. Once you build a loyal Instagram following by offering honest product reviews and demonstrations, you can pitch yourself to brands who want to increase exposure for their brand with content generated by a trusted authority—you.

• What to watch out for

  • Not a quick option. Establishing yourself as a trusted voice of authority in the UGC space takes time.
  • Plenty of competition. There’s a lot of competition from other creators on Insta, so you might have difficulty standing out from the crowd.
  • Pitching takes practice. It’s not easy pitching your services to brands, and it can take a while to get comfortable with putting yourself out there.

• Tips to succeed

  • Research rates. Do your research to find out what brands in your niche expect to pay for a creator with your following and engagement levels.
  • Choose brands carefully. Before approaching any brand, do plenty of research to make sure their values and target audience are a perfect match for you.
  • Plan your pitch. Take your time crafting a tailored pitch for each brand you approach, being sure to emphasize why you’re a good match and how you can help them boost their business.

8. Promote your business

How much you can make: It really depends on the type of business you run and the products you sell.

How it works: Instagram can be a very useful platform to help you direct traffic to your website and generate sales. Whatever industry you’re in—from health and fitness to home repairs and maintenance—sharing informative, educational and entertaining content on Instagram could be an effective way to build goodwill for your business and attract new customers.

• What to watch out for

  • Being overly promotional. Viewers will keep on scrolling if you’re just trying to constantly sell things to them, so focus on making your content engaging and informative.
  • Posting too much. Posting consistently is important to help customers remember your brand, but spamming your followers’ feeds will quickly turn them off.
  • Misusing hashtags. Relevant hashtags help you gain exposure and connect with your target audience, but loading each post with a stack of spammy hashtags can damage your brand.

• Tips to succeed

  • Show behind the scenes. Behind-the-scenes videos and photos are a great way to show what your business is all about and demonstrate your authenticity.
  • Stay up to date with trends. Social media trends are constantly evolving and can quickly become yesterday’s news, so make sure you’re quick to pounce on the latest trends.
    
  • Run contests. Running contests and giveaways is a highly effective way to enjoy increased engagement and grow your brand.

9. Become an Instagram marketing consultant

How much you can make: Varies depending on your skills and experience, but you could charge $50 per hour or more.

How it works: Experienced creators and social media experts can earn an income offering Instagram marketing services. You can put your skills to use to help small businesses devise and execute social media strategies, increase their Instagram engagement and boost sales.

• What to watch out for

  • Competitive field. Instagram’s popularity means you can expect plenty of competition from other consultants advertising their services.
  • Don’t just focus on Instagram. Don’t limit yourself to Instagram—an in-depth knowledge of other platforms like TikTok, X, YouTube and Facebook will help you get work.
  • Difficult clients. Be wary of clients who have unrealistic expectations of what you can achieve.

• Tips to succeed

  • Build a portfolio. You’ll need to develop a portfolio of your work so you can showcase your social media skills and expertise to businesses.
  • Share your knowledge. Use your Instagram account to share tips and tricks on how businesses can achieve more success on the platform.
  • Keep evolving. Instagram’s algorithm, platform features and current social media trends are constantly changing, so you’ll need to stay up to date with the latest developments to be a successful consultant.

10. Create and market online courses

How much you can make: Varies

How it works: If you establish yourself on Instagram as an expert or authority in a specific niche, you can develop and sell online courses related to your area of expertise on Instagram. You could create fitness courses, beauty tutorials, marketing lessons, photography courses, or even a study program on how to up your social media game on Instagram.

• What to watch out for

  • Lots of competition. It can be hard to stand out in the crowded online learning market.
  • Hard work required. It takes plenty of time and hard work to create a useful and engaging course.
  • Qualifications. You may need some sort of industry qualification related to your specific niche to help lend credibility to your course.

• Tips to succeed

  • Provide course snippets. Use Instagram to provide snippets of your course content and give buyers a taste of the knowledge and skills they can acquire.
  • Make it interactive. Including quizzes and other interactive elements can help keep your course engaging and enjoyable, increasing completion rates and positive reviews.
  • Use testimonials. Get testimonials from people who have successfully completed your course to use in your Instagram promotional content.

What are the best ways to make money on Instagram?

The best way to make money on Instagram depends on your niche and what you hope to get out of the platform.

That said, the route to success is to develop an audience of highly engaged followers, which will then help you make money from brand partnerships and sponsored content. If you’re looking for the highest earning potential, brand partnerships are the way to go. You can also sell Subscriptions to followers who want exclusive content, or bring in extra cash from follower gifts.

But none of these are get-rich-quick options. You’ll need to put plenty of effort into building a following before you can monetize your account, which takes time and a proven track record of consistently posting engaging content.

How do people make a lot of money on Instagram?

Unless someone is already a celeb with a huge fanbase and a long list of sponsors, how do they turn an Instagram account into a big money earner?

The most lucrative money-making opportunity is to partner with brands for sponsored content. But to build a large, loyal and highly engaged follower base, you need to choose a niche and regularly post fun, entertaining and informative content.

Take Judith J Kombe, for example. Her posts on motherhood, family and home cleaning are full of positive vibes. She welcomes her audience into the day-to-day aspects of her life, making them feel like part of the family, which has helped her amass 2.8 million Instagram followers.

Toronto’s Mei Pang, meanwhile, posts content in an entirely different niche. This heavily tattooed makeup artist shares makeup tutorials showcasing her distinctive style with 3.4 million followers, and she’s picked up her fair share of brand partnerships along the way.

And then there’s Shayan Kaffash, who posts a lot of content devoted to pranking his family. It’s easy-going, light-hearted stuff, but it’s clearly a hit with Instagram users, as Kaffash has over 3 million followers.

All of which shows that there are many different paths to success. It’s all about finding the right niche, something you’re passionate about, and getting started.

How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?

There is no specific minimum number of followers you need to make money on Instagram. However, you will need a specific number of followers to qualify for some monetization features—as an example, you need a professional account with at least 10,000 followers to be eligible to offer Subscriptions. You’ll also need at least 500 followers to be eligible to receive Instagram gifts from your fans.

But as you’d expect, more followers means more earning potential from sponsored posts. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, nano influencers with less than 10,000 followers could earn $10 to $100 on average per post, while micro influencers (10,000 to 100,000 followers) could potentially earn $100 to $500 per post.

And if you reach the macro influencer level with over 100,000 to 1 million followers, you could get average earnings of $5,000 to $10,000 per post.

How many views do you need?

How many views do you need to make money on Instagram?

Instagram isn’t a pay-per-view platform, so there’s no specific “magic number” of views you need to start earning money.

Of course, it goes without saying that the more views, the better. Increased viewership means more chances of boosting your follower numbers, a better shot at attracting interest from brands looking to generate sponsored content, and more people who might want to subscribe to you, shop at your store or send you gifts.

The more views you get—and the more engaged those viewers are with your content through likes, comments and shares—the greater your earning potential.

Frequently asked questions

• How can beginners make money on Instagram?

  If you're new to Instagram, don't sign up to this social media app expecting it to help you get rich quick. Monetizing your Instagram account, whether through sponsored posts, Subscriptions and gifts or affiliate marketing, takes time. You'll need to start by finding a niche, posting engaging content regularly and building a following before you can seriously look at making money on Instagram.

• Can I earn money with Instagram Live badges in Canada?

  No. Instagram Lives featuring badges are not available in Canada. To receive badges, creators must be based in one of the following countries:

  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Brazil
  • France
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • Spain
  • Mexico
  • Japan
  • Australia

• Can I make money with Instagram bonuses in Canada?

  No. At the time of writing, Instagram seasonal bonuses were only being trialled for creators in the United States and South Korea, while breakthrough bonuses were only available for creators based in the United States.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Tim Falk

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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