Instagram has expanded its Live Badges feature to help creators earn money through Live Videos, while giving followers an opportunity to stand out to their favorite creators.
But how do Instagram's Live Badges feature work? Keep reading to find out.
Instagram Rolls Out Live Badges to Creators
In November 2021, Instagram rolled out Live Badges to every eligible creator in the US. Initially, the feature was available to around 50,000 creators after initially rolling it out in May 2020.
Similar to Twitter's Tips and Clubhouse's Payments features, Instagram's Live Badges feature seeks to help creators earn money through the app. However, Badges are particularly linked to Instagram's Live sessions.
Creators who enable the feature allow their followers to buy Badges during a Live Video, thereby helping creators earn money through Instagram.
Badges are now available to users aged 18 and older in the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey.
How Live Badges Work
Badges are a way for fans and creators to engage in a more meaningful way.
Here's what you should know about them...
How Live Badges Work for Creators
In order to use Instagram's Badges feature, you need to have at least 10,000 followers. When you go live with Badges, your viewers have the option to buy badges to support you financially, which also helps you identify your biggest supporters.
That's because when a follower purchases a Badge, Instagram marks them with one, two, or three hearts next to their username in the Live Video. Instagram lets you see your supporters’ names on a Live Video for up to 90 days.
How Badges Work for Fans on Instagram
As a follower, you can support your favorite Instagram creators by purchasing Badges of either $1, $2, or $5 when a creator is live. In the US, you can buy up to three Badges at once, which cost $1 for one heart, $2 for two hearts, and $5 for three hearts.
Buying Badges makes you stand out on the creator's Live Video, as they can see if you've purchased Badges and how many you've bought.
And if you ask a question during a Live Stream, your question will be highlighted to the creator, which could make the creator prioritize you during their Live session.
Instagram Is Helping to Strengthen Relationships Between Creators and Fans
It is not uncommon for fans to feel that their favorite creators are out of reach, especially those with a higher following.
Similarly, it is difficult for creators to identify the followers who support them the most among a sea of bots, lurkers, and observers who don't have the best intentions.
Live Badges help to solve that problem by bridging the gap between creators and their biggest supporters, while facilitating more meaningful engagements during Live sessions.