Today, do you make more money on Instagram or on LinkedIn?

This article has been written by our Instagram expert who will tell you what are the most efficient strategies in your niche

What's your average monthly revenue from Instagram and LinkedIn over the past 6 months?

Instagram's revenue model heavily favors influencer partnerships and product sales, with rates averaging $1,311 per photo post and $2,784 per story for established creators.

Direct shopping features on Instagram now drive over $10 billion in annual sales, making it particularly lucrative for product-based businesses and lifestyle brands. The platform's visual nature and discovery-driven user behavior create ideal conditions for impulse purchases and brand awareness campaigns.

LinkedIn generates significantly lower individual post revenues but compensates with higher-value client acquisitions and consulting opportunities. The platform's $15-16 billion annual revenue primarily comes from premium subscriptions ($6.4 billion) and advertising ($5-6 billion), with creators benefiting through lead generation rather than direct post monetization.

B2B service providers and consultants typically see 3-5x higher lifetime customer value from LinkedIn leads compared to Instagram, even though Instagram may generate more initial contact volume.

The revenue difference becomes stark when considering conversion intent: Instagram users discover products organically while LinkedIn users actively seek professional solutions.

How many followers do you currently have on each platform, and how fast are they growing monthly?

Follower growth rates differ significantly between platforms, with Instagram offering faster initial growth for content creators but LinkedIn providing more sustainable professional network expansion.

Instagram accounts with under 10,000 followers typically achieve 2.5-5% monthly growth rates, with nano-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers) often seeing the highest percentage increases. Growth slows considerably after reaching 100,000 followers, as algorithm changes favor established accounts and paid promotion becomes necessary for consistent reach.

LinkedIn growth patterns are more predictable, with accounts achieving 2-5% monthly growth being standard and 5-8% considered strong performance for accounts with 5,000-20,000 followers. The platform's professional focus means growth often translates directly into business opportunities, making each follower potentially more valuable than Instagram counterparts.

Cross-platform posting rarely works effectively due to different content expectations and user behaviors on each platform.

What's your average engagement rate per post on Instagram and LinkedIn, broken down by likes, comments, and saves or shares?

Engagement patterns reveal fundamental differences in how users interact with content across both platforms.

Platform	Content Type	Likes Rate	Comments Rate	Saves/Shares Rate	Overall Engagement
Instagram	Carousels	1.8-2.2%	0.15-0.25%	0.3-0.8% (highest saves)	0.55-2.4%
Instagram	Reels	1.0-1.5%	0.2-0.4% (highest comments)	0.15-0.3%	0.5-1.23%
Instagram	Images	0.8-1.2%	0.1-0.2%	0.1-0.25%	0.45-0.7%
Instagram	Stories	N/A	5-7% reply rate	High tap-forward rate	Story-specific metrics
LinkedIn	Carousels	4.5-5.8%	0.8-1.2%	0.6-1.0% (highest shares)	6.6%
LinkedIn	Videos	3.8-4.5%	0.6-0.9%	0.4-0.7%	5.6%
LinkedIn	Text/Image	1.8-2.5%	0.3-0.6%	0.2-0.4%	2-4%

Instagram engagement has declined 28-40% year-over-year, with users increasingly engaging privately through DMs and saves rather than public likes and comments.

Which content types perform best on each platform and how do their engagement numbers compare?

Content format preferences vary dramatically between Instagram's entertainment-focused audience and LinkedIn's professional user base.

Instagram carousels dominate engagement metrics because they encourage users to swipe through multiple slides, increasing time spent with content and triggering algorithm favorability. These posts generate the highest save rates, indicating users find them valuable enough to reference later. Reels excel at discovery and reaching new audiences but often generate lower-quality engagement from users who scroll quickly past content.

LinkedIn carousels achieve the platform's highest engagement rates at 6.6% because they allow creators to break down complex business concepts into digestible slides. Video content performs 1.4-5x better than text-only posts, with native videos significantly outperforming shared YouTube links or external content.

Stories on Instagram maintain high daily usage but don't contribute to feed algorithm ranking, making them ideal for real-time updates, polls, and direct response campaigns rather than long-term content strategy.

If you're struggling to identify what content works in your niche, we can help you figure it out.

What is the typical audience profile on Instagram vs LinkedIn in your niche?

Audience demographics create fundamentally different monetization opportunities on each platform.

Instagram's user base skews younger with 61% of users aged 18-34, creating ideal conditions for lifestyle brands, fashion, beauty, fitness, and consumer products. The nearly equal gender split (50/50) provides broad market appeal, while the platform's global reach enables international audience building. Users typically browse Instagram for entertainment and discovery, making them receptive to product recommendations and influencer partnerships.

LinkedIn's professional focus attracts decision-makers and high earners, with 50% of users aged 25-34 and 53% coming from high-income households. The slight male skew (56% male, 44% female) reflects traditional business demographics, but female participation continues growing rapidly. Users actively seek solutions to business problems, educational content, and networking opportunities.

Industry-specific audience behavior varies significantly: B2C brands find Instagram's entertainment-seeking audience more receptive to product placement, while B2B services benefit from LinkedIn's problem-solving mindset and purchasing authority.

Not sure why your posts aren't converting? Let us take a look for you.

What are the average conversion rates for digital products, services, or affiliate links on each platform?

Conversion performance reveals why platform choice matters more than follower count for revenue generation.

Instagram achieves 1-2% conversion rates for digital products and services, with top-performing campaigns reaching up to 3%. The platform excels at impulse purchases and lower-ticket items where visual appeal drives immediate action. Affiliate link performance typically ranges from 0.5-1%, benefiting from Instagram's entertainment context where product recommendations feel natural rather than sales-driven.

LinkedIn consistently delivers 5-15% conversion rates for B2B services, often achieving double the performance of other platforms. This dramatic difference stems from LinkedIn's professional context where users expect and actively seek business solutions. High-ticket services, consulting packages, and B2B software see particularly strong performance due to the platform's decision-maker audience.

The conversion funnel length also differs significantly: Instagram often drives immediate purchases while LinkedIn typically initiates longer sales cycles with higher ultimate transaction values.

Purchase intent psychology explains these differences—Instagram users discover products they didn't know they wanted, while LinkedIn users actively research solutions to known business problems.

How does the full conversion funnel look for both platforms, from reach to clicks to purchases?

Understanding platform-specific funnels helps optimize content strategy for maximum revenue impact.

Funnel Stage	Instagram Process	LinkedIn Process
Awareness	Reels and Stories drive discovery through algorithm recommendations and hashtag exploration	Carousels, videos, and polls achieve organic reach through professional network sharing
Interest	Carousel swipe-throughs, profile visits, and content saves indicate deeper engagement	Engagement with educational content, whitepaper downloads, and thought leadership posts
Consideration	DM conversations, story interactions, and repeated profile visits show purchase intent	Connection requests, comment discussions, and case study engagement signal buying interest
Decision	Product tag clicks, link-in-bio traffic, and Instagram Shop browsing behavior	Lead form completions, direct message inquiries, and webinar registrations
Action	In-app purchases, external checkout completion, or affiliate link conversions	Sales call bookings, demo requests, or direct service purchases
Major Drop-offs	Click-to-purchase transition due to external checkout friction and impulse hesitation	Lead form completion and sales call booking due to commitment requirement
Optimization	Streamline checkout process, reduce friction, use Instagram Shop features	Simplify lead capture, provide immediate value, use LinkedIn native forms

Where do you notice more high-quality leads or paying clients coming from, and what's the lifetime value difference?

Lead quality metrics consistently favor LinkedIn for B2B applications while Instagram dominates B2C volume generation.

LinkedIn generates leads with significantly higher lifetime value, often 3-5x greater than Instagram equivalents for service-based businesses. Professional users on LinkedIn typically have established budgets, decision-making authority, and longer-term business relationships in mind when engaging with content. The platform's context naturally filters for serious inquiries rather than casual browsers.

Instagram excels at generating high volumes of potential customers but with more varied qualification levels. The platform's strength lies in building brand awareness and driving impulse purchases rather than developing long-term client relationships. However, for product-based businesses, Instagram's visual nature and shopping integration can produce excellent customer lifetime value through repeat purchases and brand loyalty.

Industry specificity matters enormously: fitness coaches might find Instagram clients more valuable due to ongoing program participation, while business consultants typically see higher returns from LinkedIn's professional network.

If you feel like your content isn't getting enough engagement, we can help improve that.

How much traffic from each platform is genuine vs bot or low-quality traffic?

Traffic authenticity has become a critical factor in platform selection as fake engagement inflates metrics without driving real business results.

Instagram struggles with significant bot activity and engagement inflation, particularly affecting larger accounts and certain niches like fashion and lifestyle. Fake followers, automated likes, and bot comments create misleading engagement metrics that don't translate to actual business outcomes. The platform's size and advertising potential make it a target for artificial engagement services.

LinkedIn maintains higher traffic authenticity due to its professional verification requirements and business-focused user base. While some automation tools and engagement pods exist, the overall percentage of fake engagement remains lower than Instagram. The professional consequences of fake activity on LinkedIn create natural deterrents against inauthentic behavior.

Reliable engagement indicators have shifted: Instagram saves and DMs provide more accurate intent signals than public likes, while LinkedIn comment quality and connection requests better indicate genuine professional interest than simple likes or follows.

Platform verification systems help but can't eliminate all artificial traffic, making engagement quality analysis essential for accurate ROI calculations.

What has changed in Instagram and LinkedIn algorithms, monetization, or audience behavior in 2025?

Algorithm updates and user behavior shifts in 2025 have fundamentally altered content strategy requirements for both platforms.

Instagram's algorithm now heavily prioritizes video content and private engagement signals like DMs and saves over public likes and comments. The shift toward pay-to-play has accelerated, with organic reach declining significantly for accounts not investing in advertising. Shopping features integration has improved, but the platform increasingly favors content that keeps users within the app rather than driving external traffic.

LinkedIn's algorithm has enhanced its preference for carousel and video content while maintaining strong organic reach for quality educational and thought leadership posts. The platform introduced new creator monetization tools and enhanced lead generation features, making it more attractive for B2B content creators. With only 1% of LinkedIn users posting regularly, consistent creators enjoy less competition for audience attention.

User behavior changes include Instagram users engaging more privately and LinkedIn users increasingly expecting video and visual content rather than text-only posts. Both platforms show growing preference for authentic, behind-the-scenes content over highly polished promotional material.

When in doubt about what to post, we've got your back.

What are the current predictions for 2026 for both platforms?

Industry forecasts for 2026 indicate diverging paths for Instagram and LinkedIn, with implications for creator monetization strategies.

Instagram faces slower user growth in mature markets but continues expanding in emerging regions, with advertising costs expected to rise significantly (CPC over $1.23, CPM $4-8). Organic reach will likely continue declining as the platform prioritizes revenue generation through paid promotion. New shopping tools and AI-driven personalization will enhance e-commerce capabilities, but smaller creators may find monetization increasingly challenging without advertising budgets.

LinkedIn projects continued strong growth in the B2B space with expanding global professional user adoption. The platform plans enhanced creator monetization tools, improved video capabilities, and more sophisticated lead generation features. Advertising costs remain high but justified by lead quality, with organic reach expected to stay relatively strong due to lower content saturation compared to Instagram.

AI integration will affect both platforms, with automated content creation tools potentially flooding Instagram while LinkedIn's professional context may maintain higher content quality standards.

If you're unsure why your audience isn't growing, let's take a look together.

Based on account size, niche, and monetization goals, what factors help decide which platform to prioritize?

Platform selection should align with business model, target audience, and revenue goals rather than following generic social media advice.

Business Factor	Choose Instagram If	Choose LinkedIn If
Target Audience	18-34 years old, global consumers, discovery-driven shoppers, visual learners	25-44 professionals, decision-makers, B2B buyers, industry leaders
Business Model	E-commerce, influencer marketing, lifestyle brands, consumer products, visual services	Consulting, B2B services, SaaS, coaching, professional education, high-ticket sales
Content Strengths	Visual storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, product demonstrations, lifestyle imagery	Thought leadership, industry insights, case studies, educational content, data analysis
Revenue Goals	Volume sales, brand partnerships, affiliate income, product launches, impulse purchases	High-value clients, lead generation, authority building, speaking opportunities, consulting
Sales Process	Short sales cycles, emotional purchases, visual product appeal, lower price points	Long sales cycles, rational decisions, relationship-based sales, higher price points
Account Size	Any size, but micro-influencers (1K-100K) often see best ROI per follower	Effective from 500+ connections, optimal growth 5K-50K for individual experts
Time Investment	Daily posting, story updates, real-time engagement, visual content creation	2-3 quality posts weekly, thoughtful engagement, industry participation

Conclusion

Sources

1. Business of Apps - Instagram Statistics
2. Analyzify - Instagram Stats
3. Maestra - Instagram Statistics
4. Metricool - Instagram Statistics
5. Sci-Tech Today - LinkedIn Statistics
6. Amra & Elma - LinkedIn Marketing Statistics
7. Sprout Social - Social Media Demographics
8. DataReportal - LinkedIn Stats
9. Buffer - Average Engagement Rate
10. Hootsuite - Instagram Algorithm

Who is the author of this content?

NAPOLIFY

A team specialized in data-driven growth strategies for social media

We offer data-driven, battle-tested approach to growing online profiles, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Unlike traditional agencies or consultants who often recycle generic advice, we go on the field and we keep analyzing real-world social content—breaking down hundreds of viral posts to identify what formats, hooks, and strategies actually drive engagement, conversions, and growth. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our website.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Napolify, we analyze social media trends and viral content every day. Our team doesn't just observe from a distance—we're actively studying platform-specific patterns, breaking down viral posts, and maintaining a constantly updated database of trends, tactics, and strategies. This hands-on approach allows us to understand what actually drives engagement and growth.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through analyzing hundreds of viral posts and real-world performance data. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources and case studies from major brands.

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or performance metrics were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.