Instagram vs YouTube: Where Are Influencers Earning More in 2024?
Over the past few years, India has seen a remarkable rise in social media influencers. According to a Cofluence report, the influencer marketing industry in India is growing at an annual rate of 30 percent, with around 170,000 influencers making substantial incomes through Instagram.
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the burgeoning influence of social media personalities has become increasingly evident. Individuals across every locality are now immersing themselves in the creation of engaging content—be it through reels, dance performances, or other captivating activities. This surge in social media activity has facilitated the emergence of a new breed of entrepreneurs who are capitalising on their online presence to generate substantial incomes. Notably, these influencers are dedicating merely a few hours to their digital endeavors, yet reaping considerable financial rewards. A compelling trend has emerged: the preference for Instagram over YouTube as the primary platform for monetisation. Let us delve into the reasons behind this shift.
The Surge in Social Media Influencers
Over the past two to three years, India has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of social media influencers. According to a report by Cofluence, the influencer marketing sector in India is expanding at an impressive annual rate of 30 percent. Presently, the country boasts between 2.5 to 3.5 million influencers, with approximately 170,000 of them deriving significant income from Instagram. The report also highlights a notable discrepancy in the time spent on social media by influencers in India compared to their counterparts in the USA and Europe. Indian influencers generally dedicate about 10 hours per week to their online activities, whereas those in the USA and Europe invest approximately 39 hours.
Financial Implications: Earnings from Social Media
The financial prospects for influencers are noteworthy. According to the Cofluence report, influencers in India can earn between ₹20,000 and ₹2 lakh per month through their social media engagements. In contrast, celebrities commanding a larger following can generate between ₹7 lakh and ₹15 lakh per video. Influencers with fewer than 100,000 followers typically earn between ₹20,000 and ₹25,000 per month. On YouTube, celebrities might earn between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh per video, while influencers' earnings range from ₹20,000 to ₹39,000 per video.
From Bollywood biggest collab in Deewangi song to Youtubers biggest collab in Dhindora, we all grew up pic.twitter.com/OsfU5EMnRp
— Sahil Patni (@vibewithsahil) December 17, 2021Instagram vs. YouTube: A Comparative Analysis
The preference for Instagram as a more lucrative platform is clearly delineated in the Cofluence report. Instagram provides compensation ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 per post, whereas YouTube’s remuneration ranges between ₹20,000 and ₹39,000 per video. This trend is not exclusive to influencers; celebrities too are reaping greater financial rewards from Instagram compared to YouTube. Consequently, this preference for Instagram has led to an increased focus on the platform for content posting and sharing.