Does Instagram Really Pay You for Views as a Gaming Creator in 2024?

The straight answer – yes, Instagram CAN pay gaming creators for views and engagement through its various monetization programs. However, you won‘t earn money simply by posting your gameplay highlights reel and hoping passive views turn into cash.

As a small gaming channel myself trying to profit from Instagram, I‘ve learned firsthand that while the platform offers real monetization potential, you need savvy strategies.

In this post, I‘ll dig into everything from Instagram bonuses to branded sponsorships to give fellow gaming creators an honest look at turning views into revenue in 2024 and beyond. Let‘s do this!

Understanding Instagram Payouts for Gaming Creators

Instagram introduces more and more ways for creators to profit directly from content. But exactly how and how much the platform pays varies greatly depending on factors like:

• Your follower count
• Content type
• Viewer engagement
• Video length
• Ad rates

Check out this table comparing potential earnings across some top Instagram monetization programs:

As you can see, actual Instagram revenue relies heavily on slowly building your gaming channel rather than quick video views alone.

For example, one of my 30-second Overwatch highlights reels might get 50,000 views but only earn me $20 in bonuses. However, as a micro-influencer with 10,000 engaged followers, I could charge a couple hundred bucks for sponsoring a mobile controller.

Let‘s take a deeper look at some key ways gaming creators can turn content into Instagram income:

Earning from Instagram Reels Bonuses

Hands down, Instagram Reels is the best bet for monetizing gaming videos as a small or mid-sized channel through bonuses.

How Do Reels Bonuses Work?

If one of your short fun gaming reels receives over 1,000 views in 30 days, you qualify for a "Reels Play Bonus." Instagram calculates your actual payout based on factors like length, engagement, etc.

You must earn a minimum of $100 to cash out. While 1,000 views sounds low, earning serious Reels income requires consistency at scale.

How Much Can You Make from Gaming Reels?

While bonuses fluctuate, gaming creators report averaging $3 to $5 RPM (per thousand views). So 100,000 Reel views could pay around $300 to $500. Top-performing gaming Reels may drive over $1 RPM (per view), especially longer videos.

Check out the bonus I scored from one viral Apex Legends clip:

For gaming creators playing the long game, a mix of solid reels continually driving 500k+ views can quickly scale up bonus earnings.

Cashing in on Instagram Brand Sponsorships

Once you hit 25-50k engaged gaming followers, sponsored posts and story tags present a lucrative way to monetize your audience.

Gaming influencers with just 50k fans can often command over $400 per sponsorship. And nano-influencers with only 5-10k loyal followers might still score around $100 per deal.

What do dedicated gaming sponsorship packages look like in 2024? Here are the typical rates for followers in various tiers:

As you can see, mid-tier channels collaborating with multiple big gaming brands can quickly pull solid 4-figure payouts from Instagram.

Real Talk from a Small Gaming Channel

As a tiny channel with just 7,500 subscribers, my Instagram earnings so far amount to under $400 total:

• $217 in Reels bonuses
• $150 from an indie game key sponsorship

So while Instagram does offer monetization for gaming creators, scaling real revenue even through 100k remains a marathon battle.

My tips for fellow small channels?

• Double down on Reels to build volume fast through bonuses
• Partner smartly to align with brands that match your niche aesthetic
• Convert free trials from Grafana, DataDog and other SaaS sponsors into engaged, long-term partnerships

Only by mixing multiple income streams can tiny gaming influencers maximize Instagram profit. Keep hustling!

Final Takeaway: Yes, You Can Earn Money from Instagram Gaming Content

At the end of the day, Instagram does present legitimate – if limited – ways for gaming creators to profit directly from content through bonuses, sponsorships, badges, and more.

But simply scoring views means little without crafting an authentic brand and niche audience that engages deeply with your channel.

As both a passionate gamer and analyst tracking this space closely, I believe Instagram income potential will only grow in 2024 and beyond.

For gaming influencers playing the long game, a stellar Instagram presence should be a crucial piece of your plan to profit from content across platforms. Just don‘t count quick on those massive paydays going viral!

Have questions on boosting your earnings as a gaming creator? Hit me up. Until next time, may your aim stay true and your clutch plays pay big.