Facebook Reels allow users to create and share short, entertaining videos on Facebook and Instagram. Reels can be up to 60 seconds long and often feature music, effects, and creative editing.
Since Reels rolled out on Facebook in 2021, many creators have wondered if it’s possible to earn “stars” on Facebook Reels, similar to how creators can earn “likes” on regular Facebook posts. Stars are a virtual currency on Facebook that allow fans to tip and support their favorite creators.
So, can you actually get stars on Facebook Reels? Let’s take a closer look.
What are Facebook Stars?
Facebook Stars are a virtual currency that exists within the Facebook ecosystem. Fans can purchase stars and use them to support and tip creators on Facebook.
When a fan sends stars to a creator, the creator gets a monetary value in exchange. The number of stars sent determines the dollar amount received.
Stars can only be earned by creators who are in the Facebook Level Up program. Level Up allows qualifying creators to monetize their content via stars, subscriptions, badges, and more.
Here are some key things to know about Facebook Stars:
- Introduced in 2016 for Facebook Live
- Fans purchase stars via in-app purchases
- 1 star = 1 cent (100 stars = $1)
- Stars are used to tip creators during live streams
- Creators exchange stars for real money via Level Up program
- Not available to all creators, only those accepted to Level Up
In summary, stars allow fans to financially support creators on Facebook. It provides a direct way for creators to monetize their content.
Can You Earn Stars on Facebook Reels?
When Reels first launched, there was no way to earn stars or any other type of monetization. However, monetization features have rolled out gradually.
So can you earn stars on Facebook Reels in 2023?
**The answer is yes, it is now possible to earn stars on Reels through the Level Up program.**
Here are some key points about earning stars on Reels:
- Only applies to creators in Level Up program
- Fans can send stars during a Reel or for a limited time after it ends
- Stars appear as a gift icon during the Reel video
- 1 star = 1 cent value, which creators can redeem
- Stars on Reels work similarly to stars for Facebook Live
- Creators can earn money in real time as fans send stars
While any creator can make Reels, only Level Up creators can monetize them with stars. Reels provides these qualifying creators with a new way to engage fans and earn rewards.
Requirements to Earn Stars on Facebook Reels
In order to earn stars on Reels, creators have to meet certain requirements and criteria. The main requirement is getting accepted into the Level Up program.
Here are the key requirements to earn stars on Reels:
- Must be accepted into Level Up program
- Level Up is only open to creators 18+ years old
- Creators must have 10,000+ followers and 10,000+ post engagements in past 60 days
- Creators must read and agree to the Level Up terms of service
- Creators must set up a payment method to receive earnings
- Creators must maintain community standards and platform policies
As you can see, the main criteria is having an engaged following and audience on Facebook. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to produce quality content that resonates with fans.
In addition to stars, Level Up creators can also earn money through subscriptions, badges, Facebook ad revenue share, and more. Qualifying for Level Up opens up many money-making possibilities.
How Much Money Can You Make?
The earning potential with Facebook Stars ultimately depends on the creator’s audience size and engagement. More popular creators will likely see greater star earnings.
Some top Facebook creators can make thousands of dollars per month from stars alone. However, earnings vary widely.
Here are some factors that determine potential star earnings:
- Number of followers – More followers means a larger audience capable of sending stars
- Engagement rate – The more engaging a creator’s content, the more stars received
- Frequency of posting – Posting Reels consistently gives fans more opportunities to send stars
- Average number of stars received per Reel – Some creators tend to attract bigger star gifts than others
- Live streaming activity – Facebook Live enables real-time star sends too
While challenging to predict exact earnings, stars provide a solid revenue stream for top Reels creators. Even smaller creators can monetize their engaged communities.
Tips to Earn More Stars
Here are some tips creators can use to maximize their star earnings potential:
- Post entertaining Reels frequently – Gives fans more chances to send stars
- Go live often – Live streams attract real-time stars from viewers
- Add a stars call-to-action in Reels – Remind fans they can send stars
- Engage with commenters and sharers – Build rapport with top fans
- Promote when going live – Alert your audience ahead of streams
- Thank fans for every star received – Show appreciation
- Offer exclusive content for big star sends – Incentivize larger gifts
The more creators can cultivate loyalty and engagement from their audience, the greater their star earnings can become. Posting high-quality Reels is the first step in that process.
Do Facebook Reels Stars Expire?
No, Facebook stars do not expire once sent to a creator. They remain in the creator’s account balance until cashed out.
Some key points about the lifespan of unused stars:
- Stars never expire and have infinite shelf life
- Creators can accumulate stars over time without losing them
- Stars remain pending in account until creator opts to cash out
- Cashed out earnings are sent to creator’s selected payment method
- It may take up to 45 days after cashout for earnings to process
- Creators should cash out earnings once reaching the $100 threshold
In essence, stars behave like cash rewards. They do not vanish if unused right away. This gives creators flexibility in when to redeem earnings.
However, it is recommended to cash out periodically once hitting the $100 minimum rather than letting stars accumulate for too long. But unused stars will never disappear.
Pros of Earning Stars on Facebook Reels
There are many benefits for creators who earn stars on Reels:
- Provides a direct way to monetize engaged Reels audience
- Fans reward and support creators they love by sending stars
- Creates a reciprocal relationship between creator and supporter
- Stars can add up to meaningful earnings over time
- Serves as validation that a creator’s content is valued
- Allows creators to diversify income beyond ad revenue
- Rewards frequent Reels creators for their commitment
Overall, the ability to earn stars empowers Reels creators and gives them added incentive to continue creating. Stars help convert an audience into a revenue stream.
Cons of Earning Stars on Facebook Reels
However, there are also some downsides or cons to be aware of:
- Only Level Up creators can access stars, limiting eligibility
- Stars have small per-unit value, so large volumes are needed for meaningful earnings
- Difficult to predict or control number of stars received on each Reel
- Requires cashing out frequently once hitting $100 threshold to avoid losing earnings
- Earnings dependent on retaining loyal, engaged audience over time
- Time-consuming and challenging to build large creator following
- Facebook takes a cut of star earnings through fees and taxes
While stars present opportunities, they also require significant audience-building efforts to generate sustainable revenue. Patience and persistence are key.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about earning stars on Facebook Reels:
- How long do you have to cash out earned stars?
- Can people send stars on every Reel?
- Is there a fee when cashing out stars?
- Are there country restrictions?
- Can you earn stars on Facebook videos?
There is no time limit to cash out stars. They will remain in a creator’s pending balance indefinitely until withdrawn. However, it’s recommended to cash out once hitting $100 to avoid losing earnings.
Yes, fans are able to send stars on any published Reel, but only if the creator is enrolled in the Level Up program.
Facebook will take a 5% fee for cashouts, as well as applicable taxes. So creators don’t receive 100% of their gifted stars.
The Level Up program and stars are available globally. However, local taxes and payment methods may affect payout accessibility in certain countries. Not all payment methods are supported everywhere.
No, stars are currently only available on Reels and Facebook Live. Facebook may expand stars to more content types in the future.
In summary, be sure to review Facebook’s Level Up and stars policies and terms for full program details.
Summary and Conclusion
Facebook Reels offer a new way for qualifying creators to engage their audience and earn money. Through the Level Up program, creators can receive virtual stars from fans on their Reels.
These stars translate into real cash value after being cashed out by creators. While stars represent small individual amounts, they can add up over time into meaningful earnings.
To participate, creators must apply for and be accepted into the Level Up program. This requires meeting thresholds for followers and engagement. If approved, creators can start enabling stars on their Reels content.
While not a shortcut to instant earnings, stars provide a way to monetize and reward the Facebook communities that creators build. Along with other monetization tools like subscriptions and badges, they offer a way to create sustainable income from the creative passion.