Instagram is working on a new suite of tools to help influencers and creators make money on the platform. 

The company announced it is developing three major new monetization features for creators: Creator Shops, affiliate commerce, and a “branded content marketplace.”

Here’s everything you need to know:

What Are the New Instagram Creator Monetization Features?

In a recent Instagram Live broadcast, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri shared how the platform is evolving to “help creators make a living over the long run.” 

I’m going live on Instagram around 11 with @finkd to talk about creators and some of what we’re working on if you want to stop by and check it out.

— ADAM MOSSERI  (@MOSSERI) APRIL 27, 2021

As part of these plans, Instagram will launch Creator Shops, affiliate commerce (i.e commission payments for product sales), and a new “branded content marketplace” to connect influencers and brands. 

These features will financially reward influencers and creators that drive sales for brands by using Instagram’s shopping features.

Instagram Creator Monetization Feature #1: Creator Shops

During Creator Week — a week dedicated to helping creators grow using Facebook and Instagram tools — Zuckerberg shared more about Instagram’s Creator Shops.

“[For creators] who want to sell your own products and merchandise, we’re going to make it easier to add an existing shop or open a new shop on your personal Instagram profile,” said Zuckerberg.

This can be done one of two ways:

• Creators who already have an existing product offering can now link their shop to both their personal and business profile – available globally as of today.
• Creators new to shops will be able to set up a shop through the Instagram app. They’ll simply link their account to one of Instagram’s merchandise partners: Bravado/UMG, Fanjoy, Represent, and Spring. However, this feature will roll out to all eligible creators in the US by end of the year.

The goal of Creator Shops is to make it as easy as possible for users to buy directly from creators, within the app.

Ready to join the world of Instagram e-commerce? Find out how to set up Instagram Shopping for your business here.

Instagram Creator Monetization Feature #2: Affiliate Commerce

Alongside Creator Shops, Instagram has also introduced a new affiliate commerce program for influencers and creators.

This means that creators will earn a commission payment (a rate set by brands) when they generate a product sale for a brand on the app — completing the 3-sided marketplace of social commerce.

The tool will also feature a label letting users know that their purchase will directly support the creator.

During Creator Week’s opening remarks, Zuckerberg revealed: “The affiliate tool [will] allow you to discover new products that are available on Checkout and share them with your followers to earn a commission for the purchases you drive, all within Instagram.” 

Find out more about Instagram: How to Sell on Instagram in this blog post.

Instagram Creator Monetization Feature #3: Branded Content Marketplace

Finally, Instagram announced plans to help brands match and discover emerging influencers whose reach would be an ideal fit for their audience.

Similar to TikTok’s Creator Marketplace, this would be the first move by Instagram to step into the influencer-brand collaboration space.

“We should be able to help brands find creators that are uniquely aligned with the work they’re trying to do and vice versa,” shared Mosseri. “If we can help with matchmaking, we can help drive more dollars to the smaller creators who can do amazing work for brands.”

No exact details were shared on how deals might be structured, but Zuckerberg said they offer “very favorable terms” to creators.   

With tools that support creators financially, it’s clear that Instagram is moving in the e-commerce space and committed to helping creators accomplish their goals.

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