Instagram Reels Play Bonus Program Status 2026: Is It Still Active?

As of 2026, the Instagram Reels Play Bonus is not universally available. Meta has shifted the program to a selective invite model — creators receive an in-app notification if they qualify, rather than being able to opt in freely. The program is confirmed active in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and select European markets. India and Southeast Asia have limited rollout with different payout structures. Many creators who had access in 2022-2023 report losing eligibility after the 2024 policy reset. If you do not see a 'Bonuses' tile in your Instagram Professional Dashboard, your account is currently not enrolled.

Meta uses an algorithmic eligibility model that considers follower count, recent Reels performance, account age, and monetization policy compliance history. Accounts flagged for misinformation, spam-like posting behavior, or copyright violations are typically excluded. Creator accounts with consistent Reels performance over the past 90 days are prioritized for invites. Business accounts have historically had lower access rates than Creator accounts set to the correct category.

When active, the bonus pays per-view on qualifying Reels over a challenge period (typically 30 days). US payout rates in 2026 range from $0.01 to $0.05 per view depending on the active challenge tier. Creators are assigned a target (e.g., earn $500 by reaching 2M views in 30 days). Once the target is hit, the bonus is paid. Missing the target means partial or zero payout depending on the specific challenge terms. Payments are issued monthly to the linked bank account or PayPal.

If you lack access, focus on building the signals Meta uses for invites: post 3-5 Reels per week consistently, keep your account in good standing, switch to a Creator account if you haven't, and ensure your Professional Dashboard shows no policy violations. Some creators report receiving invites within 60-90 days of consistent Reels activity after a gap in posting. There is no official appeal or application process — access is entirely invite-driven.