Let’s shed more light on something that is absolutely remarkable — Instagram monetization. Instagram is a treasure house of traffic arbitrage, offering a crowd to serve every niche or method. In short, Instagram is a fantastic way of getting high-value users, hence a must to dive in more deeply. In this case study, we’ll take a closer look at how to monetize Instagram effectively using the power of HilltopAds ad network.
A bit about the Publisher
Meet Abraham, a sports bettor and iGaming enthusiast from Indonesia. He runs a popular Instagram profile where he shares match analyses, betting tips, and the latest news from the iGaming industry. Abraham created a separate Instagram channel to provide even more value to his followers without cluttering his main account. There, he posts exclusive betting tips, in-depth game analyses, and interviews with industry experts.
The online betting and iGaming industries are among the most competitive and saturated markets globally. Yet, they continue to thrive financially. Take the iGaming sector, for instance, that hit $305.8 billion in 2024, of which $107.3 billion came from online gambling.
However, many publishers fail to generate profit from their work. Weak strategies prevent them from realizing their potential, causing their profits to suffer.
Next, we’ll examine Abraham’s story and see how he successfully monetized his Instagram account in such a competitive industry!
What is Instagram monetization?
Monetizing Instagram is a way of acquiring traffic through Instagram ads or organic engagement to forward users, via Direct Link, to affiliate promotions or monetized material. With this approach, publishers earn money by forwarding traffic to landing pages, affiliate programs, or sites, in which money is earned through ads or conversion. Instagram, with its visually oriented nature and massive number of users, is one of the most profitable platforms to use for traffic arbitrage.
Why choose Instagram to earn money?
- Massive audience exposure: Instagram boasts over 1 billion active users with a broad array of target audiences per niche.
- High engagement: The visually-based design of Instagram’s interface means it has higher engagement, making it a wonderful place to build traffic.
- Precise targeting tools: Instagram ads allow you to target audiences based on demographics, interest, behavior, and even custom audiences.
- Integrated shopping functionality: Functions such as “Buy” buttons and “Swipe Up” enable easy conversion of users to customers.
How Abraham Grows His Audience on Instagram
To attract viewers to his channel, Abraham follows a set of strategies:
- Teasers on his main profile: Abraham provides short promos of the content presented in his private channel, pointing out its uniqueness and value.
- Call-to-actions: In his stories and articles, he reminds his readers why it is beneficial to be a member, i.e., to receive unique analysis and expert opinion.
- Subscriber testimonials: He includes encouraging comments from existing members to support the credibility and usefulness of the channel.
Abraham uses HilltopAds Direct Link within his content, directing his readers to relevant promotions and making his readership pay.
Leveraging Instagram’s marketing potential, he also runs targeted ads that are set to be displayed to users in line with their behavior and interests:
- iGaming-themed Stories: Bite-sized, entertaining videos with fascinating facts and gambling tips, in conjunction with a Direct Link inviting users to view special promotions.
- Reels with prediction tips: Interactive videos previewing upcoming matches and providing tips for bets, easily inserting links to partner sites.
Abraham doesn’t restrict his work to Instagram, though — he also has a WordPress blog that releases in-depth articles, gambling tips, and professional advice. Each post includes a link to his Instagram profile and channel, creating a cross-platform funnel that builds his readership.
By combining strategic marketing of his content with judicious marketing strategies, Abraham continues to grow his readership and successfully monetize his sportsbook gambling and iGaming business.
Creatives
It’s no secret that effective ad creatives need to be vibrant, memorable, and compelling enough to make people click on the Direct Link. This applies to all campaigns, of course. Let’s briefly break down what creatives for the iGaming and Betting verticals should include:
For Stories, use dynamic videos with a touch of intrigue—think a countdown to a big win or a quick transition from a question like, “Think you’ve got what it takes?” to a bold call-to-action like, “Prove it!” You can also share helpful content, such as “How to Start Betting on Sports” or exclusive registration bonuses to create a sense of urgency. Add eye-catching visuals and keep text to a minimum to keep users hooked.
When it comes to Reels, focus on emotions—show real winning stories, pair them with trending music, and use memes that resonate with your audience. You can also stream or post reviews of bloggers playing casino games or placing sports bets. All this type of content is highly engaging and will have the audience glued to the screen.
For feed posts, create creatives with clear calls-to-action like “Claim Your Bonus Now!” or “Place a Bet and Win!” Use bold colors and large text to make them stand out. Share trigger stories about celebrities’ big wins — like Drake’s $25 million casino win (even though he lost it all the same night). However, it’s best to avoid mentioning losses to prevent any fear or hesitation about the industry. You can also share sports event predictions with odds, which adds value to your content and boosts engagement through shares and saves. AI tools can help refine ad copy, analyze engagement trends, and even suggest the best posting times for maximum reach.
In your Instagram channel, implement carousels with step-by-step guides on utilizing the Direct Link and gaining access advantages, or organize giveaways where individuals must click on the link in order to be able to participate.
The key, then, is writing your creatives for format and then employing them to stimulate a response.
Statistic
Monetizing Instagram is all about leveraging your audience to generate income through the platform. It’s important to note that Instagram doesn’t have a clear “finish line” for monetization. Whether you’re a nano-influencer or have a million-strong following, there’s always potential to earn.
Abraham’s high-quality, emotionally engaging content doesn’t just attract users from platforms like Wattpad — it also drives organic traffic directly to his Instagram. His strategy is so effective that it generates over 370,000 views per month, with individual Post reaching up to 36,000 views.
Monthly reach up to 370,000:
Views per post up to 36,000:
Now, let’s talk numbers — everyone loves specifics. Our publisher consistently earns $1,600 – $2,000 per month,and during peak periods, this amount doubles. Since partnering with HilltopAds in April 2024, Abraham has earned a total of $19,842 using our signature Direct Links.
This example clearly showcases that even with a competitive niche like betting and gambling, spectacular results are within the range of possibilities. The key is the proper approach, quality material, and the proper tools like Direct Links that can translate the views into actual profits.
The Secret to Precision Targeting
Our publisher achieves outstanding results because they don’t just use Direct Links — they use specialized, precisely targeted links. Each DL is tailored to a specific audience and niche. For example, for iGaming, they create a unique link that directs users exclusively to casino and betting offers. This ensures their creatives “hit the bullseye”: users see exactly what interests them, and conversions soar thanks to the relevance of the content.
That’s why our HilltopAds Pub Manager recommends:
Nik, HilltopAds Pub Manager
“Always segment your DLs by verticals and ask your manager to link only thematic offers. If you’re promoting sports betting, your Direct Link should lead solely to sports betting offers. This way, you avoid clutter and build trust with your audience.
And don’t stick to just one format: test Stories with limited-time bonuses, Reels with emotional winning stories, and posts with triggers like ‘Your chance to replicate Drake’s success.’ For more complex offers, add pre-landing pages—they reduce drop-offs and warm up your audience. Check out more details in our Help Center!”
P.S. Remember: precise targeting through Direct Links + no-nonsense creatives = your campaigns become a sniper, not a shotgun.
Final Thoughts
Instagram is a gold mine of the sort of traffic arbitrage that represents unprecedented opportunities to interact with premium audiences. With the right approach, solutions like HilltopAds’ Direct Links, and a quality-oriented approach to content, publishers like Abraham can turn their presence on Instagram into a serious stream of revenue. Whether you’re starting small or want to go big time with efforts, the solution is all about targeting with precision, creativity diversity, and a deep understanding of the audience you’re targeting.
As Nick aptly puts it: Precise targeting through Direct Links + no-nonsense creatives = your campaigns become a sniper, not a shotgun.
So, take a page from Abraham’s book, dive into Instagram monetization, and start turning your views into actual revenue today!
