PostEaseThe short answer
Badges are how viewers pay a creator during an Instagram Live. Instagram’s Help Center says badges “let you earn money when you go live”: a viewer buys one or more badges, a heart appears next to their name in the comments, and the creator earns from the purchase.
Instagram says its own revenue share on badges is currently 0%, while Google and Apple take 30% in fees on in-app purchases. Any professional account holder aged 18 or older who meets Instagram’s monetization policies can use badges; Instagram lists no follower minimum for them.
Who can earn from badges
From Instagram’s page on badges for creators:
| Requirement | What Instagram says |
|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older |
| Account | A professional account, creator or business |
| Policies | Meet the Partner Monetization Policies, and stay compliant with the Community Standards and Content Monetization Policies |
| Payout | Set up a payout account to get paid; track status and estimated earnings in the Badges tab in Settings |
| Not eligible | Accounts that mainly post content focused on children |
What supporters get
Badges are as much about recognition as payment. From Instagram’s help pages for viewers and creators:
| Purchase | What happens |
|---|---|
| One badge | A heart beside the supporter’s name for that Live, and a thank-you notification |
| Three or more | Their profile photo glows in the comments for that Live |
| Multiple badges | A heart with a plus number shows the total; their questions rise to the top of the creator’s Q&A queue |
| Any badge | The creator may pin their comment, one comment at a time |
| Badges over three separate Lives | The creator is notified of the continued support |
Limits and how payouts work
A supporter can buy as many badges as they like, up to $250 per Live video, and badges are not a subscription: they last only for that Live. Creators can see the list of supporters and badges from each Live for 90 days after it ends, and can thank them with a thank-you sticker in a story. Earnings and invoices are in the professional dashboard.
Making badges work in a Live
Because badges reward visible recognition, a few habits help:
- Say at the start that badges are on and what supporters get, such as answered questions.
- Answer badge holders’ questions from the Q&A box, which puts the biggest supporters first.
- Pin a supporter’s comment so everyone sees it.
- Thank supporters afterwards with the story sticker while the 90-day list is available.
Questions
How much does Instagram take from badges?
Instagram says its revenue share is currently 0%. Google and Apple take 30% in fees on in-app purchases.
How many followers do you need for Instagram badges?
Instagram lists no follower minimum for badges. You need a professional account, to be 18 or older, and to meet its monetization policies. Going live itself requires a public account with 1,000 followers.
Is there a limit on how much one person can spend on badges?
Yes. A supporter can spend up to $250 per Live video.
What is the difference between Instagram badges and gifts?
Badges are bought during Instagram Live videos. Gifts are sent on reels using stars.
Sources
- Instagram, About badges (for creators), checked October 2026.
- Instagram, About badges on Instagram, checked October 2026.
- Instagram, How many badges can you buy during an Instagram Live, checked October 2026.
- Instagram, What are the benefits of buying multiple badges during an Instagram live?, checked October 2026.
- Instagram, About product eligibility requirements for monetization tools on Instagram, checked October 2026.
- Instagram, Start a live video on Instagram, checked October 2026.