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

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

What's the average revenue per 1,000 followers on Instagram versus Threads today?

Instagram delivers $10-$25 per 1,000 followers for micro-influencers, scaling significantly with audience size and niche authority.

Follower Count	Instagram Revenue per Post	Threads Revenue per Post
1,000-10,000	$50-$250 (established micro-influencer rates)	No standardized rates; early brand deals $25-$100
10,000-100,000	$200-$1,000 (mid-tier influencer premium)	$50-$300 (rising due to high engagement)
100,000+	$1,000-$5,000+ (macro-influencer rates)	$500-$2,000 (limited by platform maturity)
Revenue per 1K followers	$10-$25 (industry standard)	$5-$15 (growing rapidly)
Niche premium	Finance/B2B: 2-3x base rates	Education/Tech: 1.5-2x base rates
Brand deal frequency	2-4 deals per month (established creators)	1-2 deals per month (experimental budgets)
Payment timeline	30-60 days (standard industry)	15-45 days (faster due to smaller campaigns)

What's the average engagement rate on Instagram vs Threads by niche?

Threads consistently delivers 3-6x higher engagement rates across all niches compared to Instagram's declining metrics.

Niche	Instagram Rate	Threads Rate	Key Difference
Beauty	0.2-0.3% (oversaturated)	3-4% (community-driven)	Threads favors authentic reviews over polished content
Fitness	~1% (visual appeal)	4-5% (motivation communities)	Conversation-based support drives higher interaction
Finance	0.7-1.5% (educational)	3-4% (real-time discussions)	Market commentary and Q&A format performs better
Education	2.4% (higher engagement niche)	5-7% (knowledge sharing)	Thread discussions create deeper learning engagement
Retail/E-commerce	3.0% (product-focused)	4-5% (community feedback)	User-generated reviews and discussions drive sales
Technology	1.1% (technical content)	5-6% (developer community)	Code sharing and problem-solving conversations thrive
Lifestyle	0.8% (broad category)	3-4% (authentic sharing)	Personal stories resonate better in conversation format

How many likes and comments can creators expect per post based on follower size?

Threads delivers higher engagement ratios per follower across all account sizes, with smaller accounts seeing disproportionate interaction benefits.

Instagram maintains predictable engagement patterns based on follower count, with larger accounts experiencing diminishing returns per follower. The platform's mature algorithm favors established creators but limits organic reach for newer accounts. Engagement quality varies significantly, with many interactions coming from passive consumption rather than active conversation.

Threads breaks traditional follower-to-engagement ratios by prioritizing conversation quality over account size. Smaller accounts frequently achieve engagement rates comparable to larger Instagram accounts due to the platform's emphasis on real-time discussions. The algorithm actively promotes new voices and fresh content, creating opportunities for rapid growth regardless of existing follower base.

Instagram averages show 25 likes and 1 comment per post for accounts under 10K followers, scaling to 2,451 likes and 30+ comments for accounts over 100K. Threads averages 31 likes and 4.3 comments across all account sizes, demonstrating less correlation between follower count and engagement volume.

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

What are the conversion rates for different revenue streams on Instagram vs Threads?

Threads consistently outperforms Instagram in conversion rates across all revenue streams, with affiliate marketing and coaching services seeing the highest gains.

Revenue Stream	Instagram Rate	Threads Rate	Performance Factor
Affiliate Marketing	1-2% average conversion	2-3% (early adopters)	Higher trust through authentic conversations
Brand Partnerships	1-2% engagement to action	2-4% real-time feedback	Immediate Q&A increases purchase confidence
Digital Products	1-3% via Stories/DMs	2-5% direct links	Simplified click-through process
Coaching Services	2-5% through DMs	3-6% community-driven	Public testimonials and expertise demonstration
Course Sales	1-3% educational content	3-5% knowledge sharing	Free value-first approach builds stronger funnels
Physical Products	2-4% visual showcase	1-3% limited shopping tools	Instagram's visual nature favors product sales
Consultation Calls	3-6% expertise positioning	4-8% direct interaction	Real-time expertise demonstration builds trust faster

What's the audience difference between Instagram and Threads users?

Instagram users demonstrate higher purchasing power but lower engagement depth, while Threads users show greater interaction willingness despite lower average transaction values.

Instagram's audience skews toward visual consumption with established shopping behaviors, particularly strong in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categories. Users typically research products through posts and stories before purchasing, creating longer sales cycles but higher transaction values. The platform's global reach provides access to diverse demographics with varying spending capacities, though engagement has become increasingly passive.

Threads attracts a more engaged, conversation-oriented audience that actively participates in discussions and provides immediate feedback. The user base trends younger (18-34) with higher male representation (57%) compared to Instagram's more balanced gender split. While average spending per transaction remains lower, users demonstrate higher click-through rates and stronger community loyalty.

Instagram users prefer visual product research and comparison shopping, spending more time evaluating options before purchase decisions. Threads users engage in real-time conversations about products and services, making quicker decisions based on community recommendations and direct creator interaction.

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

Where are bots more prevalent and how do they affect conversion rates?

Instagram experiences significantly higher bot activity with up to 10% fake accounts, while Threads maintains lower bot presence due to newer platform controls and stricter verification processes.

Instagram's mature ecosystem attracts sophisticated bot networks that inflate follower counts and engagement metrics, costing brands $1.3 billion annually in fraudulent activity. These fake accounts dilute real engagement rates and create misleading performance metrics that affect creator pricing and brand campaign effectiveness. Bot interactions rarely convert to sales, artificially lowering overall conversion rates for campaigns targeting bot-heavy accounts.

Threads benefits from newer anti-spam technology and Meta's improved detection systems, resulting in more authentic user interactions and reliable engagement metrics. However, the platform faces growing challenges with impersonation profiles and scam accounts as user adoption increases. The current lower bot presence means engagement and conversion metrics more accurately reflect genuine user interest.

Bot presence directly impacts conversion rate calculations by inflating engagement numbers while providing zero sales value, making Instagram campaigns appear less effective than they actually are among real users. Threads' cleaner engagement data provides more accurate performance insights for creators and brands planning monetization strategies.

Which platform drives more traffic through link clicks?

Threads generates 15-20% higher link click rates per post compared to Instagram, with users more likely to follow through on external links and engage with linked content.

Instagram's link-clicking behavior requires multiple steps through Stories swipe-ups or bio links, creating friction that reduces click-through rates. Users often save posts for later review or send them via DM, making traffic attribution more complex. The platform's algorithm historically penalized external links, though recent updates have improved link post performance in Reels and carousels.

Threads prioritizes link posts in its algorithm, actively promoting content that drives users to external resources. The simplified link-sharing format encourages immediate clicks, with users more likely to engage with linked articles, products, or services during their active browsing session. Real-time conversation around linked content increases click likelihood and subsequent engagement.

Instagram users typically require multiple touchpoints before clicking external links, preferring to research within the platform first. Threads users demonstrate higher immediate action rates, clicking links during their initial interaction with posts. However, Instagram's more mature sales funnel infrastructure often converts these eventual clicks at higher rates despite lower initial click-through performance.

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

Which platform works better for brand deals versus selling your own products?

Instagram dominates brand partnership volume and established rates, while Threads excels for creators selling their own products or services through community building and direct engagement.

Instagram's extensive brand partnership ecosystem offers higher budget allocations, standardized pricing structures, and established campaign frameworks that benefit creators seeking sponsored content opportunities. Major brands allocate 60-80% of influencer budgets to Instagram due to its visual format, global reach, and proven ROI tracking systems. The platform's shopping integration and swipe-up features create seamless brand-to-consumer experiences.

Threads provides superior opportunities for creators selling their own products or services through authentic community building and expertise demonstration. The conversational format allows creators to showcase knowledge, answer questions in real-time, and build trust organically before making sales pitches. Educational content creators, coaches, and consultants see higher conversion rates through Threads' community-driven approach.

Brand deals favor Instagram for reach and visual impact, while personal product sales benefit from Threads' engagement depth and community trust-building capabilities. Creators focusing on brand partnerships should prioritize Instagram, while those building personal brands or selling services should leverage Threads for community development and Instagram for transaction completion.

How did monetization change in 2025 and what's expected for 2026?

Instagram's monetization plateaued with 28% year-over-year engagement decline, while Threads launched creator monetization tools and projects $11.3B revenue by 2026.

Instagram faced significant challenges in 2025 with declining organic reach, increased competition from short-form video platforms, and creator fatigue leading to reduced posting frequency. Brands shifted budgets toward micro-influencers and performance-based campaigns rather than reach-focused partnerships. The platform responded by enhancing Reels monetization and improving creator fund distributions, but overall creator earnings growth slowed compared to previous years.

Threads introduced monetization tools including native advertising, brand partnership features, and affiliate link integration throughout 2025. Early creator adoption showed promising results with higher engagement translating to better conversion rates for pilot programs. The platform's focus on conversation-driven content created new opportunities for thought leaders and educational creators to monetize expertise through direct community engagement.

2026 forecasts indicate continued Instagram dominance in absolute revenue but slower growth rates, while Threads is expected to capture increasing brand budgets as monetization infrastructure matures. Creators diversifying across both platforms report 23% higher total earnings compared to single-platform focused strategies, suggesting multi-platform approaches will become essential for maximizing revenue potential.

What are the most engaging content types on each platform in 2025?

Instagram Reels and carousels drive the highest engagement for visual content, while Threads conversation starters and polls generate superior interaction rates for text-based content.

Instagram's algorithm heavily favors Reels for reach and discovery, with short-form videos receiving 3-5x more visibility than static posts. Carousel posts generate the highest engagement per impression, particularly when combining educational content with visual appeal. Stories maintain strong performance for driving DMs and private conversations, while static photos see continued decline unless part of cohesive carousel presentations.

Threads excels with conversation-starting text posts that invite community participation and real-time discussions. Q&A formats, industry insights, and behind-the-scenes content generate higher response rates than visual-heavy posts. Polls and interactive content drive immediate engagement, while educational threads explaining complex topics see high bookmark and share rates.

Instagram content should focus on visual storytelling, quick consumption, and aesthetic appeal to maximize algorithm favor and audience retention. Threads content performs better when encouraging dialogue, sharing personal insights, and fostering community discussions around shared interests or professional expertise.

Which platform offers better ROI on paid promotions?

Instagram provides higher conversion ROI for direct sales campaigns, while Threads offers lower CPMs and superior engagement ROI for awareness and community building objectives.

Instagram's mature advertising platform delivers CPMs ranging $0.00-$4.00 with conversion rates averaging 1-2% across industries. The platform's extensive targeting options, lookalike audiences, and shopping integration create efficient sales funnels for e-commerce and direct-to-consumer brands. Advanced tracking and attribution models provide detailed ROI analysis for budget optimization.

Threads advertising remains in early stages with lower CPMs due to reduced competition and experimental pricing from Meta. Early advertisers report higher engagement rates and click-through performance, though conversion tracking remains limited compared to Instagram's sophisticated measurement tools. The platform shows promise for building brand awareness and community engagement at lower costs.

Instagram delivers better ROI for campaigns focused on immediate sales and conversions, while Threads provides superior value for engagement, brand building, and community development objectives. Creators and brands maximizing ROI should use Threads for low-cost audience building and Instagram for high-conversion sales campaigns.

How should someone choose between Instagram and Threads based on their niche and goals?

Platform selection depends on content format strengths, audience behavior patterns, and primary monetization objectives rather than follower count or general popularity metrics.

Choose Instagram for visual-heavy niches including beauty, fashion, food, travel, and lifestyle content where aesthetic appeal drives purchase decisions. The platform excels for creators focused on brand partnerships, affiliate marketing for physical products, and building broad audience reach for eventual funnel conversion. Instagram's shopping features and DM sales capabilities make it essential for product-based businesses.

Choose Threads for conversation-driven niches including education, finance, technology, coaching, and professional services where expertise demonstration and community building drive revenue. The platform works best for creators selling digital products, consultation services, and courses where trust-building through authentic interaction increases conversion likelihood.

Optimal strategy involves cross-platform promotion using Instagram for polished content and direct sales while leveraging Threads for community engagement, real-time feedback, and thought leadership positioning. Creators succeeding on both platforms typically use Threads for audience development and Instagram for revenue conversion, maximizing each platform's unique strengths.

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

Conclusion

Sources

1. EmbedSocial - Instagram Influencer Earnings
2. Syllaby - Threads Monetization Requirements
3. Later - Instagram Influencer Costs
4. Buffer - Average Engagement Rates
5. Social Insider - Instagram Benchmarks
6. Sprout Social - Instagram Engagement
7. Stack Influence - Threads Brand Marketing
8. Buffer - Threads vs Twitter
9. Sprout Social - Instagram Statistics
10. Business of Apps - Threads Statistics

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.