Instagram Reels Earnings Per View in India (2026): Real Data

Instagram's Reels monetization for Indian creators works through multiple channels:

1. Reels Play Bonus (invite-only):
- Meta periodically invites creators to bonus programs
- Pays based on Reels views over 30-day periods
- Typical payouts: ₹1,000-₹50,000/month for qualifying creators
- Not consistently available — Meta enables and disables programs

2. In-stream ads on Reels:
- Ads that appear between Reels in the feed
- Revenue shared with creators whose Reels are shown alongside ads
- Estimated RPM: ₹5-₹25 per 1,000 views
- Available to creators with 5,000+ followers meeting eligibility

3. Branded content (primary income):
- Brand deals are the main way Reels generate income
- Not per-view payment — fixed fees per Reel
- This is where 80-90% of Reels income comes from

Realistic per-view earnings from ad revenue:

| Metric | Range |
|---|---|
| CPM (what advertisers pay) | ₹15-₹60 |
| Creator RPM (what you earn) | ₹5-₹25 |
| Per 100K views | ₹500-₹2,500 |
| Per 1M views | ₹5,000-₹25,000 |

Key reality: Instagram Reels ad revenue is significantly lower than YouTube. The real money in Reels comes from brand deals, not per-view payments.

Side-by-side comparison for Indian creators:

| Factor | Instagram Reels | YouTube Shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Ad revenue RPM | ₹5-₹25 | ₹8-₹40 |
| Per 1M views (ads) | ₹5,000-₹25,000 | ₹8,000-₹40,000 |
| Brand deal rates | Higher | Lower |
| Monetization access | Easier | Requires YPP |
| Viewer demographics | 18-35, urban | All ages, wider |
| Discovery potential | High | Very high |
| Affiliate link placement | Bio/Stories | Description |

YouTube Shorts pays more per view, but Instagram Reels offer:
- Higher brand deal rates (Instagram is preferred by brands for sponsored content)
- Better shopping integration (product tags, shop features)
- Stronger DM-based sales funnels
- Better engagement rates for lifestyle/fashion/beauty niches

Best approach: Post on BOTH platforms. Create your Reel once, then repurpose for YouTube Shorts. Tools like FluxNote can help you create short-form videos that work across platforms, maximizing your reach without double the effort.

Since per-view ad revenue is low, focus on these higher-earning strategies:

1. Brand deals (₹5,000-₹5,00,000 per Reel):
- At 10K followers: ₹2,000-₹10,000 per branded Reel
- At 50K followers: ₹10,000-₹50,000 per branded Reel
- At 100K followers: ₹25,000-₹1,00,000 per branded Reel
- At 500K followers: ₹75,000-₹3,00,000 per branded Reel
- At 1M followers: ₹1,50,000-₹5,00,000+ per branded Reel

2. Affiliate marketing through Reels:
- Showcase products naturally in Reels
- Drive traffic to link-in-bio affiliate links
- Fashion/beauty affiliates: 5-15% commission
- Finance affiliates (demat accounts): ₹500-₹2,000 per signup
- Estimated: ₹2,000-₹50,000/month depending on niche and followers

3. Drive traffic to higher-monetization platforms:
- Use Reels to drive YouTube subscribers (higher ad revenue)
- Promote your courses, consulting, or services
- Build email list for direct selling

4. Instagram Shopping:
- Tag products in Reels for direct purchases
- Commission-based earnings from Instagram Shop
- Works best for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle creators

Content types that generate the highest total earnings (brand deals + ads + affiliates):

1. Product review Reels (highest affiliate potential):
- Genuine reviews of products you use
- "5 products under ₹500 that changed my routine"
- Comparison Reels (Product A vs Product B)
- Unboxing and first impressions

2. Tutorial/how-to Reels (highest brand deal potential):
- Makeup tutorials featuring specific products
- Tech setup and workflow Reels
- Cooking recipes using specific ingredients/appliances
- Financial tips using specific apps

3. Trend-based Reels (highest view potential):
- Trending audio with niche twist
- Challenge participation with branded elements
- Meme-format educational content
- Before/after transformations

4. Day-in-the-life Reels (highest engagement):
- Behind-the-scenes of your profession
- Morning/night routine showcasing products
- "What I eat in a day" (food brands love these)
- Workspace/setup tours

Posting frequency for maximum earnings:
- Minimum: 4-5 Reels per week
- Optimal: 1-2 Reels per day
- Best times for Indian audience: 12-2 PM and 7-9 PM IST