Instagram promotion charges, explained
Whether you tap Boost on a post or set up a proper ad, the billing works the same way. You tell Meta how much to spend and for how many days. Meta then enters your ad into an auction each time one of your chosen people opens Instagram, and takes a little from your budget whenever the ad is shown.
So the "charge" is whatever you decide to put in. The real question is what you get back for it, and that is measured per 1,000 views or, better for a shop, per enquiry.
Rough figures in rupees
Our app plans with these ranges for local businesses: ₹45 to ₹70 for 1,000 views, ₹45 to ₹65 for each lead form filled, and ₹35 to ₹55 for each WhatsApp chat started. They cover Instagram and Facebook together, because Meta sells both from one budget.
On those figures, a boutique in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, putting ₹3,000 into ad spend could expect something like 43,000 to 67,000 views, or 46 to 66 people sending their number. Your own numbers will differ. A bridal collection in November costs more to advertise than plain kurtas in July.
Is Instagram dearer than Facebook?
Often a little, yes. Instagram users in Indian cities are younger and every clothing, beauty and food brand wants them, so the auction is busier. Facebook reaches more people over 35 and more people in smaller towns, where fewer advertisers compete.
You don’t have to pick. When one ad runs on both apps, Meta moves the money towards whichever is bringing enquiries for less that day. A jeweller may find most of the leads come from Facebook while most of the views come from Instagram.
Why a boosted post can cost you more
The Boost button is the quickest way to spend money on Instagram. It is built to get likes, profile visits and messages on Instagram itself. A shop owner then has to answer DMs, ask for a phone number and hope the person replies.
An ad made for leads or WhatsApp skips those steps. The rupees per view are similar, but the rupees per real customer are usually lower, since the person has already handed over a number or opened a chat.
- Boost: pay for views, likes and profile visits
- Lead form ad: pay for views, receive names and phone numbers
- WhatsApp ad: pay for views, receive chats on your business number
What else you pay besides Meta
The ad spend is only one part. Someone has to design the picture, and a freelancer may charge ₹300 to ₹1,500 for one. An agency adds its monthly fee. If you pay Meta directly from India, GST at 18% is added to the bill.
When you compare quotes, ask each one the same thing: for this amount, how much reaches Instagram as ad spend, and is GST inside or on top?
Questions
What is the minimum budget for Instagram ads in India?
Meta accepts very small daily budgets, sometimes under ₹100. That is too little to learn anything. Around ₹300 to ₹500 a day for 10 days gives you enough enquiries to judge.
Do Instagram ads charge per click or per view?
For most goals Meta bills by views, counted in thousands. You can still work out your cost per click or per lead by dividing what you spent by what you got.
Does the price of your plans include Instagram?
Yes. Every plan runs on Instagram and Facebook together, with the ad spend, design and GST in one price.