The claim
Create an AI virtual influencer and earn from brand deals.
Instagram's Sept 2026 labelling rule, AI influencer awards and Fanvue funding news keep it prominent.
How we checked
This is an evidence check, not a hands-on test. We reviewed platform rules and policies, published earnings data, regulator warnings and reporting: 5 sources, listed below.
Costs
- Start-up cost
- £20–£100/month
- Effort
- high
What the evidence shows
Viral figures like '$34,000 per post' come from applying human rate cards to follower counts, not from disclosed income. Even well-known AI personas like Aitana Lopez averaged around €3,000 a month, and they are run by agencies. Since September 2026 Instagram cuts the reach of unlabelled AI-person accounts, and surveys suggest disclosure makes consumers trust brands less, so brand deals are hard for newcomers to land.
Realistic earnings: Most new accounts earn £0 from brands in year one; small affiliate or product income is more likely than sponsorships.
Limitations
Earnings ranges are typical outcomes for a beginner, drawn from the sources; some people do far better or worse. Platform rules change often, so check the latest policy before you start.
Rarely matches what is promised.
Sources
- TechRepublic: from Sep 2026, Instagram's 'AI-generated profile' label is required, and unlabelled AI accounts lose recommendation reach techrepublic.com
- Creatorflow: verified AI influencer earnings are far below headline claims, which are rate-card extrapolations creatorflow.so
- Net Influencer: Fanvue at a $100m run rate with 250,000 creators, so money exists but is spread thin netinfluencer.com
- Fanvue (Jan 2026): $100m annual run rate, 250,000+ creators, AI tools used by 93% of creators businesswire.com
- Background on Fanvue as an AI-friendly creator subscription platform domusweb.it