How To Make Money On Snapchat: 10 Simple Ways (2026)

Updated on January 14, 2026

Snapchat still pulls huge numbers. Over 460 million people use it every day. They chat, watch, and scroll Spotlight. This guide is for creators, students, and everyday users who want extra income. Some monetization options are invite-only, others work even for new or small accounts, so everyone can benefit.

Below are 10 simple ways to make money on Snapchat in 2026.

Official Snapchat monetization methods

These monetization options come straight from Snapchat and pay creators directly.

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1. Join Snapchat’s monetization program

Eligibility label: Invite-only and available to creators who meet Snapchat’s performance criteria.

Snapchat now has one unified monetization program for Spotlight and Snapchat Stories It’s how many Snapchat creators earn money from ads inside the app. This works best if you post often and treat Snapchat like your main social media platform.

To qualify, you usually need to:

Be 18 or older
Have a public profile
Post regularly
Get real engagement, not just views
Build a solid follower count

Only Spotlight videos over one minute can earn ad revenue. Creators get paid in Crystals. The minimum payout is $100, based on the revenue generated.

There’s no form to fill out. Snapchat reviews your Snapchat account on its own and sends invites in-app. Until that happens, keep posting engaging content, hold attention, and focus on real people following and watching.

2. Get invited to the Snapchat Creator Marketplace

Eligibility label: Invite-only and best suited for creators with consistent views and activity.

The Snapchat Creator Marketplace is where Snapchat creators connect with brands. It’s built right into the app, so you don’t waste time on outreach. Brands scroll Snapchat accounts, check recent content, and reach out if the fit feels right.

Most deals are sponsored content, like casual product mentions, branded runs, or short creator stories mixed into normal posts.

Creators usually qualify if they:

Have a public profile in good standing
Post often enough to stay visible with more posts
Keep people watching and replying (consistent engagement)
Follow Snapchat’s brand rules
Turn on the Brand Partnerships toggle in profile settings

Not everyone gets access. Snapchat still controls who’s visible.

Brands pay creators directly. Rates vary by deal, but it usually starts at around a few hundred dollars.

Your niche, tone, and timing matter. Creators who post often, stay active, and engage their own followers usually hear back faster.

3. Monetize with AR Lenses via Snap’s Lens Creator Rewards

Eligibility label: Invite-only rewards with no follower requirement, best for designers.

Snapchat rewards some creators for building popular augmented reality Lenses using Lens Studio. This is all about creativity and engagement, not follower count.

Designers can earn money when their Lenses get lots of usage, shares, and saves across Snapchat. Many creators treat this as a side project, not a full-time income stream.

There’s no public application. Snapchat reviews Lens performance and reaches out if a Lens qualifies for the Spotlight Rewards Program. Not every high-performing Lens gets paid, and rewards can change over time.

To improve your chances:

Build Lenses people actually want to play with and share (entertaining snaps)
Tap into trends, seasons, or cultural moments (content ideas)
Promote products or your Lenses through Public Stories and your Snapchat profile
Encourage users to save and reuse your Lens

This works best for AR designers, freelancers, and brands testing interactive formats. Income can be unpredictable, but strong Lenses can bring both payment eligible activities and long-term visibility, especially if users keep coming back.

Alternate ways to make money on Snapchat

These options don’t rely on Snapchat payouts and work best for creators who want flexibility.

4. Use Snapchat ads to sell your own products or services

Eligibility label: No followers required, but you need a budget to manage ads.

Snapchat ads don’t pay you directly. You use them to sell something you already have, like merch, a download, or a side service. You’re paying for reach, not getting ad revenue.

Ads show up in public stories, Snapchat Spotlight, and sometimes Discover. The goal is simple: get people to click, follow, or buy. Even a brand-new Snapchat profile can work if the offer is clear.

People run Snap Ads to promote:

Hoodies, mugs, or other products
Digital stuff like planners, presets, or guides
Services like tutoring, editing, or account help

The best ads feel like normal Snaps: quick demos, problem-solution clips, short before-and-afters. Talking straight to the camera usually beats fancy edits. If it looks like a Story, people are more likely to watch and click.

This isn’t passive income. You’re spending money to get traffic. But if your product converts, Snapchat ads can be a reliable way to make money, reach more users, and even boost conversions.

If you don’t have extra cash to test Snapchat ads, small task-based income can help. Consider a microtasking platform like JumpTask that lets you earn a bit by doing simple online tasks in your free time.

It’s not huge money, but it can cover your first ad test, a product mockup, or a basic landing page. A lot of creators use this kind of side income to experiment without risking their main budget.

5. Sell access to Snapchat Premium content

Eligibility label: Works with small accounts and uses external payment tools.

Snapchat Premium is basically private Stories that only paying subscribers can see.

If you’re thinking about how to make money on Snapchat, you start by setting up a Story and letting people subscribe for access. That’s it.

Push it through your Public Profile, other social media platforms, or even Patreon to get more users. Tease a bit publicly, but don’t forget Snapchat’s monetization rules, you don’t want trouble.

Some things that actually help:

Price it fair for your audience (audience reach matters)
Post regularly, even small stuff counts
Stick to Snapchat’s content and monetization guidelines

Creators mess up when they aren’t clear. Say what subscribers get. Say how often you post. Don’t charge too high too soon. Don’t go quiet after people pay. Consistency beats flashy content, always.

This works best if you want to build a community-driven, chill experience. You don’t need fancy production, just steady, useful posts that people actually want to see.

Maximize your income

Add a guaranteed revenue stream alongside your Snapchat content with zero experience needed.

6. Offer brand partnerships for sponsored stories

Eligibility label: Usually requires steady engagement, with brands deciding eligibility.

One of the easiest ways to make money on Snapchat is by doing sponsored Stories for brands. You basically post Snaps that show a product, service, or campaign. Sometimes they pay a flat fee. Sometimes it’s based on performance.

If you want brands to notice you, just start posting from your public profile and focus on your niche and improving engagement.

Use the Paid Partnership tag so users know it’s legit. Keep the Snaps natural – fun, honest, not like a commercial. People notice when it feels forced.

For long-term success with brand partnerships, here’s what works:

Work with brands that actually fit your audience, not just chasing the money
Keep sponsored Stories simple, short, and real
Don’t post ads back-to-back all the time
Always use the Paid Partnership tag, it builds trust

If you’re still small, try local businesses or smaller brands, even ones on other platforms or social media sites. Lots of them just want to connect with new audiences.

Posting relatable content often helps more than flashy production. Even a few good Snaps can lead to bigger deals later.

7. Use Snapchat for affiliate marketing

Eligibility label: No minimum followers required and no Snapchat approval needed.

Affiliate marketing is honestly one of the easiest ways for eligible creators to make money on Snapchat. You just create stuff about products and drop links in your content. Every time someone buys, you get a cut – simple as that.

Snapchat is perfect for this because it’s visual. Quick tutorials, mini reviews, or even “day in the life” Snaps work really well. It’s also a way to engage your target audience and see what actually clicks.

Lower-priced items usually convert better. People like stuff under $50 – feels safe to try. Big-ticket stuff can work too, but you’ll need proof, repeated exposure, and clear outcomes. Monetization takes patience.

Always be transparent. Use #ad or Paid Partnership tags. And post regularly – even small, messy posts help. Over time, you’ll figure out how to get paid on Snapchat and how much does Snapchat pay for these affiliate links.

8. Make money by selling products on Snapchat

Eligibility label: Open to all account sizes and uses external checkout tools.

Selling your own digital or physical products on Snapchat is one of the easiest ways to earn money. You can create posts about merch, eBooks, or handmade stuff that actually connects with users.

Try fun formats – product tutorials, behind-the-scenes clips, quick reviews, or launch teasers. Drive people to your checkout by linking in your bio or using call-to-actions in Stories.

Lower-priced items usually sell faster, especially for new followers. Physical products can cost more if they’re limited, personalized, or exclusive content.

Set up a Public Profile so saved Stories stay visible. Post consistently, follow key requirements, and experiment with localized sponsored lenses to boost reach and start real monetization. Over time, small creators can turn casual users into buyers.

Eligibility label: Small accounts can qualify if they have active and engaged followers.

One way to monetize your Snapchat followers is by doing paid shoutouts or promo spots for creators or brands who want to grow their audience. You just drop a product, service, or account in your Snapchat stories (super short, fun stuff works best).

A lot of creators don’t charge by followers, just by Story views. Something like $5–$10 per 1,000 views is common. Niche audiences or time-sensitive promos can go higher. Keeping it simple and clear helps serious buyers reach out without endless back-and-forth.

To really engage, make sure shoutouts match what your audience likes. Find buyers on Reddit, Facebook groups, influencer platforms, or even Snap map.

Targeted shoutouts are an easy way to increase conversions and help other creators or brands grow on Snapchat.

10. Offer Snapchat account management as a service

Eligibility label: No followers required, since income depends on skills, not audience size.

If you know your way around Snapchat, a cool way to monetize your skills is by helping others manage their accounts. You can create content, post daily Stories, check analytics, and keep an audience engaged.

Local businesses hire managers all the time. A café might need menu updates each morning. A Snap Star or coach may want help replying to disappearing messages or keeping their community active. People care more about consistency than follower numbers.

This is a solid way to start new revenue streams without needing a huge following. You can find clients on Upwork, freelancing groups, or by just connecting with small businesses.

If you want to go further, you could create ads, run story ads, or even manage a Snapchat Spotlight profile. Little by little, you can build experience, offer more services, and grow your presence.

This role is a great entry point for freelancers looking to build a client base. For those interested in expanding their service offerings, you might also want to become a freelancer or explore the option to become a virtual assistant to assist clients with a wider range of tasks.

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Key takeaways

You don’t need a huge following to make money on Snapchat. Engagement and consistency matter more than followers.
Snapchat’s native monetization options, like Snapchat Spotlight, are invite-only, but pay directly once you meet the following criteria. Small accounts can still earn with affiliate marketing and other or services.
Most methods reward creators who feel real and relatable – think Snap Stars and well-known influencers, not over-polished content.
Start with one method, test what works, then scale. Over time, grow your community, try Snapchat Takeovers, or aim for one million Spotlight views.

FAQs

Yes, but it depends how you do it. Snapchat pays some creators directly, while others earn through brand deals, affiliates, or selling their own stuff.

Most creators sell access to private Stories. People pay outside the app, then you manually add them. Snapchat doesn’t run subscriptions for you.

Usually, $5–$10 per 1,000 views. Payouts change based on ads, watch time, location, and performance. Some views earn more than others.

It varies. Some options need big audiences. Others work with small accounts if people actually watch, reply, and trust your content.

Gabriele Zundaite

Digital Marketing Manager

Meet Gabriele, a marketing specialist focused on digital growth and social media. As a Digital Marketing Manager at JumpTask, she helps others discover new ways to earn online by turning creative ideas into real results. With a degree in Marketing Management and a background in growth marketing and community building, Gabriele shares clear, practical advice for anyone ready to start earning or grow their online presence.