Could exclusive content sent only to subscribers help creatives monetize their Instagram accounts? That’s the thought behind Instagram subscriptions, a feature that the social media platform is experimenting with that would allow users to deliver exclusive Stories to paid subscribers. While Instagram confirmed that it was considering the idea earlier this year, two companies that analyze the App Store have spotted the feature listed for in-app purchases—suggesting the feature could be launching to Instagram sooner rather than later.

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Instagram has yet to confirm if paid subscriptions will roll out to all users. An Instagram representative told Rangefinderthat paid creator subscriptions is an area that it is “exploring.” Sensor Tower and Apptopia, two groups that analyze App Store changes, have both noted that Instagram subscriptions were added to the list of in-app purchases last week. The change could indicate an upcoming launch of the feature, or it could be an Instagram feature that never makes its way out of testing.

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While the status of Instagram subscriptions is not quite clear, if Instagram launched the feature, it would be following behind similar options on YouTube and, more recently, Twitter. Earlier this fall, Twitter launched Super Follows, an in-app subscription that delivers “bonus” content to paid subscribers. YouTube has offered channel memberships for members-only content since 2018.

Instagram is a popular platform for photographers to build a following, but influencers earning an income on the platform often do so through third-party paid posts not sold through the platform itself. So how would Instagram subscriptions affect photographers and videographers on the platform? The rumored feature would allow creatives to sell subscriptions for access to exclusive content. To gain subscriptions, this content would likely need to offer some value beyond what’s already shared on Instagram, such as photo education.

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Fashion photographer and photo educator Lindsay Adler tells us Instagram subscriptions would have to offer interactivity, support and a feeling of community in order to be successful. Adler adds that she could see photo educators offering critiques or business support through a subscription model, depending on what capabilities are offered.

“I think that a content creator should definitely find ways to monetize their audiences if they are producing content specifically for their audiences,” she says. “In other words, a chef just showing your creations is one thing, but if you are building a following where you share recipes and how-to’s, then certainly you should monetize. The same is true with photo education.”

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Like with other platforms, there’s a risk in relying exclusively on one source of income. “I am somewhat hesitant to tell people to build their income/subscriptions around a single platform,” Adler says. “You never know if people leave that platform or the prices rise. I suggest people build their platforms offsite so they are reliant on another company.”

With Instagram only confirming that it is exploring the possibility, much of the potential creator subscription model is unknown. It’s unclear what types of content Instagram would include in the subscription, whether that be images, Stories, Reels or all three. Additional options could also play a large role in how beneficial the feature is for photographers.

For example, could the Instagram subscriptions be expanded to include a new physical print every month, or digital downloads? Who would be eligible to use the subscription program—anyone, or only creatives with a certain follower count? Would subscribers have priority in direct messages?

For now, Instagram’s potential creator subscriptions have more questions than answers, including when it might roll out to users. If the features allow photographers to offer something of value beyond what they share in news feeds, Instagram subscriptions could be yet another solid option for creatives to diversify their income.