How Much Do Brands Pay for Instagram Stories? Real Data

Why Instagram Story Rates Matter in 2025

Instagram Stories are one of the fastest ways to engage followers, and convert them into customers. For brands, Stories deliver immediacy, authenticity, and strong ROI. For creators, they offer high-value ad space with minimal production time.

Knowing your Story's value in 2025 means:

• Charging fairly based on real metrics

• Standing out in negotiations

• Packaging Stories for better brand income

2025 Benchmarks: What Creators Earn Per Instagram Story

Mid-Tier Creators (100K–500K followers):

• $750–$3,750 per Story

Macro Creators (500K–1M followers):

• $3,750–$7,500 per Story

Mega Creators (1M+ followers):

• $7,500+ per Story (often bundled with Reels and usage rights)

Celebrity Example:

• Alix Earle (4M+ followers) charges $450,000 for one Instagram Story

Typical CPM (Cost Per 1,000 Views):

• $15–$30 CPM remains standard in 2025

Instagram Stories now cost 50–75% of a feed post and are favored for short-form, clickable content.

Key Trends Influencing Rates in 2025

Performance Over Popularity

Brands prioritize Story views, tap-throughs, and saves over follower counts.

Bundles = Bigger Payouts

Combining Stories with Reels, carousels, and pinned posts justifies higher fees.

Niche Wins

Creators in parenting, beauty, health, or money niches earn higher CPMs due to relevance and loyalty.

Authenticity > Polish

Casual, story-first content outperforms scripted posts. Brands want creators who can naturally integrate products.

Real Creator Example (2025)

Samira, a mid-tier wellness creator with 210K followers shared:

"My 2-story sequence for a mental wellness app earned $1,500. I included a poll and swipe-up. It led to 1,300 clicks."

Results:

• ~19,000 Story views

• 1,300 link taps

• Strong enough conversion to land a 3-month retainer

Common Pricing Pitfalls in 2025

1. Charging by followers, not views

   Brands care about reach + impact.

2. Skipping insight screenshots

   Always include average views, replies, and tap rates.

3. No clear rate card or media kit

   If brands don’t see your value instantly, they move on.

4. Forgetting to charge for exclusivity or usage rights

   These can add 20–50% to your base rate.

✅ Checklist: How to Price Your Instagram Story (2025)

• Know your Story views

  Use Instagram Insights to track the last 10 Stories.

• Use CPM of $15–$30

  Multiply by your average views. Ex: 10K views × $25 CPM = $250

• Adjust upward for:

  • High swipe-up or poll engagement

  • Targeted niche (finance, wellness, etc.)

  • Link clicks or affiliate conversion

• Add bonuses for:

  • +20% for rush turnaround

  • +25% for exclusivity

  • +15% if usage rights are included

• Bundle with Reels

  Create multi-touch content to increase value.

• Package in a clean media kit

Use CreatorsJet to showcase stats, rates, and examples.

FAQs

How do I calculate my Instagram Story rate in 2025?

Multiply your average Story views by a CPM of $15–$30. Adjust for niche, urgency, or conversion performance.

Do brands still pay well for Instagram Stories in 2025?

Yes, Stories are often more efficient than feed posts for engagement, swipe-ups, and DMs.

What makes Stories so valuable for brands?

They’re fast, intimate, and allow clickable actions like swipe-ups and tags. They feel less like ads.

What’s a fair rate for a creator with 50K followers?

If you average 6,000–8,000 views, $100–$240 is reasonable. More if your niche is highly targeted.

TL;DR: Instagram Story Rates in 2025

• Mid-tier creators charge $750–$3,750 per Story

• CPMs still hover around $15–$30

• Bundle Stories with Reels for 2–3x the rate

• Authentic, clickable Stories perform best

• Pricing is based on performance, not followers

• Use a media kit to close better deals

Want More Paid Story Deals?

Turn your performance data into a sleek pitch. Build a professional, branded media kit that shows your value.

Use CreatorsJet to create and share a powerful media kit that converts attention into income.