The Covid-19 lockdown has led to a 70% surge in viewership for Instagram live-stream. Recognizing the demand, Instagram has used that opportunity enabling creators to monetize from live-streaming. Viewers can now pay $4.99 for three hearts and $0.99 for one, which can be obtained from Instagram, and they can only purchase one badge during the live-stream.Â
The heart’s purchase will then be donated to the creator, who is indicated about this purchase, providing them an opportunity to recognize the viewer for their support. Instagram has emphasized that they will not be collecting a percentage of the revenue but will explore that avenue when the time comes.
In a recent statement, Instagram shared:
“We want Instagram to be the best place for creators to tell their story, grow their audience and make a living. This is another step forward in our vision to build a suite of tools that help creators make money through branded content, shopping, content monetization, and direct support from fans.”
Instagram has also expressed that special features will also be unlocked, including a placement on the creator’s list of badge holders and access to a special heart badge. Many creators were already testing the monetization feature earlier this year. Other platforms such as Youtube and Tik Tok have also been exploring different avenues for the creators to monetize their content.
“We want Instagram to be the best place for creators to tell their story, grow their audience and make a living. This is another step forward in our vision to build a suite of tools that help creators make money through branded content, shopping, content monetization, and direct support from fans.”