Instagram has become a strange place over the years. Some accounts have 50,000 followers but barely cross 300 likes. Others have just 2,000 followers and still manage to earn money quietly every month. This is why the idea that only high engagement accounts make money is not fully true.
If you are someone who looks at your follower count and engagement and thinks, “Nothing is happening here,” this article is for you.
Let us understand how money really works on Instagram when engagement is low.
Understanding Low Engagement Without Complicated Terms
( Source – gelato.com )
Before discussing money, we need to clearly understand what low engagement means.
Engagement is simply how people react to your content. This includes:
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Likes on posts
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Comments
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Shares
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Saves
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Replies to stories
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Direct messages
Engagement rate is the percentage of your followers who interact with your content.
For example, if you have 10,000 followers and only 80 people like your post, your engagement rate is less than 1 percent. On Instagram, anything below 1 percent is generally considered low.
Low engagement does not always mean bad content. Sometimes it means:
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Your followers are inactive
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Your account grew quickly through reels
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Your audience watches but does not interact
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Your niche is informational, not entertaining
Silent audiences are more common than people think.
ALSO READ | How Many Followers on Instagram to Get Money Compared to YouTube and Pinterest.
Can You Really Make Money With Low Engagement?
The short answer is yes.
The longer and more honest answer is yes, but not in the way Instagram gurus usually promise.
Low engagement affects brand deals the most. It does not affect all income sources equally. Many earning methods depend more on trust, relevance, and problem solving than likes and comments.
Instagram money is not one road. It is multiple small lanes.
How Many Followers Do You Actually Need?
This depends on how you want to earn. Let us break it down properly.
Affiliate Marketing With Low Engagement Accounts
Affiliate marketing means you recommend a product and earn a commission when someone buys through your link.
Here, engagement matters less than intent. If your followers trust your recommendations, even a few clicks can convert into sales.
| Followers | Income Possibility | What Usually Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 to 3,000 | Low but real | Occasional sales |
| 5,000 to 10,000 | Moderate | Monthly commissions |
| 10,000 plus | Strong | Consistent affiliate income |
Example
A skincare page with 6,000 followers and low likes can still earn if followers buy products after watching honest reviews.
Affiliate income is quiet money. No applause, but money still comes.
Selling Your Own Products or Services
This is the safest way to earn with low engagement.
You can sell:
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Coaching
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Consulting
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Freelance services
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Digital products like ebooks or templates
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Online workshops
Here, you do not need viral posts. You need credibility.
| Followers | Can You Earn? | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 to 2,000 | Yes | DMs convert well |
| 3,000 to 5,000 | Better | Audience starts trusting |
| 5,000 plus | Very good | Regular leads |
A business coach with 3,000 followers can earn more than a lifestyle creator with 30,000 followers. Selling expertise beats chasing likes.
Brand Deals With Low Engagement
This is where expectations need to be realistic.
Most big brands want high engagement. But many small and medium brands care about niche relevance and reach.
Low engagement accounts still get brand deals when:
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The niche is specific
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The audience matches the brand’s target customer
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The content looks professional
| Followers | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| 5,000 to 10,000 | Free products or barter |
| 10,000 to 25,000 | ₹3,000 to ₹10,000 per post |
| 25,000 plus | Better deals with negotiation |
These deals may not be glamorous, but they exist.
Paid Communities and Subscriptions
Instagram allows creators to offer subscriptions, which means followers pay monthly for exclusive content.
This works surprisingly well for low engagement accounts because payment comes from serious followers, not casual viewers.
| Followers | Paid Members Needed |
|---|---|
| 5,000 | 30 to 70 |
| 10,000 | 80 to 200 |
If even 1 percent of your followers pay, you can create steady income.
Why Low Engagement Accounts Still Earn Money
Here are some honest reasons:
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Followers may not like posts but still trust recommendations
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Informational content gets fewer likes but higher buying intent
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Followers prefer DMs over comments
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Older audiences interact less but spend more
Instagram behaviour has changed. Not everyone double taps anymore.
Mistakes That Stop Low Engagement Accounts From Earning
Many creators block their own income unknowingly.
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Waiting for brand deals before monetising
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Not having a clear niche
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Not asking followers to take action
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Avoiding DMs and conversations
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Comparing engagement with entertainment pages
Money does not come from comparison. It comes from clarity.
ALSO READ | Pinterest vs Instagram: Which Platform Makes More Money for Beginners?
How to Increase Earnings Without Fixing Engagement Instantly
( Source – cheggindia.com )
You do not need to fix everything overnight.
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Talk directly to your audience through stories
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Use clear calls to action like “DM for details”
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Share results, client stories, or personal experience
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Focus on helping, not impressing
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Build authority instead of chasing trends
Instagram rewards usefulness more than popularity in the long run.
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Final Thoughts
Low engagement on Instagram feels discouraging, but it is not a dead end. It is simply a different starting point. The platform rewards many things, not just likes and comments. Trust, relevance, and usefulness matter just as much, and sometimes even more.
You do not need a massive audience cheering on every post to earn money. A small group of followers who believe you, listen to you, and find value in what you share is enough to build income. In many cases, low engagement accounts attract quieter audiences who think more and comment less but are willing to spend when something genuinely helps them.
Instead of chasing viral posts or comparing yourself to high energy creators, focus on clarity. Know who your audience is, what problem you solve, and how you can offer a solution. When that is clear, monetisation becomes simpler and more stable.
Instagram money is not about popularity. It is about purpose. If your content has direction and honesty, even a low engagement account can turn into a reliable income source over time.
