Guide
How much to charge for a pinned Instagram Story
Figures and workflows here are illustrations, not financial, tax, or accounting advice. Talk to a tax or finance specialist in your jurisdiction before you invoice, set payment terms, or treat a number as a rate you should charge.
Highlight day ladder (vs $700 Reel)
| Inventory | Window | Vs Reel | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24h Story sequence (no Highlight) | 24h | 0.28–0.40× | $196–$280 |
| Highlight 7 days | 7 days | 0.10–0.15× | $70–$105 |
| Highlight 30 days | 30 days | 0.18–0.28× | $126–$196 |
| Highlight 90 days | 90 days | 0.40–0.55× | $280–$385 |
| Named Highlight exclusivity (no other brands) | +25–40% of Highlight fee | Uplift | On the Highlight line |
Stories vanish after 24h; Highlights are how past Story creative stays visible. Sell days in the Highlight, not “pinning” a live Story.
Worked quote: sequence + 30-day Highlight
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| 3-frame Story sequence | $245 |
| Highlight 30 days | $160 |
| Take-down day 31 | Included in SOW |
| Total | $405 |
Bio 7 days would be a third line — see link-in-bio rates.
What pinned Story pricing is not
- Not a free leftover of the 24h Story.
- Not Close Friends-only distribution (different audience SKU).
- Not paid ads usage of the frame.
Highlight name
Write the Highlight title in the SOW (“BrandX — Oct”). Random dumping into a mixed Highlight dilutes their ask — and your fee.
Stories menu
Frame-count pricing lives on the Stories rates page; this page is lasting placement only.
Related guides
Platform rates & formats
Pinned Story pricing questions
+What is a pinned Story for rate cards?
Instagram does not pin individual Stories to your profile — they expire after 24 hours. Brands mean a Story frame saved to a Highlight (or similar lasting profile placement). You are selling Highlight days, not a disappearing Story frame.
+How much is a 30-day Highlight vs a normal Story sequence?
Often ~0.15–0.30× your Reel for 30 days in a named Highlight, on top of the sequence fee if they also bought the 24h post. Example on $700 Reel: ~$105–$210 for the Highlight month.
+Is pinned Story the same as link in bio?
No. Bio is the profile URL. Pin/Highlight is Story creative that stays visible. Brands sometimes want both — two lines.
+Do I have to take it down on day 31?
Yes if you sold 30 days. Calendar the take-down. “Leave it up, it’s fine” becomes free year-long inventory.
+Can they run ads with the pinned frame?
Organic Highlight only unless paid usage is on the invoice.
Add pin days to the Stories menu
BlueRateCard packages can list Highlight / pin duration next to Story sequences so lasting placement is not free. Free for creators.