Instagram is rolling out new features, including a tool for making and selling digital collectibles, to help content creators earn revenue directly from their Instagram audience.

Users of the Meta-owned online photo-sharing and social networking service can soon support content creators by buying their non-fungible tokens (NFTs) directly within the platform.

"Creators will soon be able to make their own digital collectibles on Instagram and sell them to fans, both on and off Instagram. They'll have an end-to-end toolkit – from creation (starting on the Polygon blockchain) and showcasing, to selling," Meta said.

"We're testing these new features with a small group of creators in the US first, and hope to expand to more countries soon," it added.

Read more: Is your Instagram crashing?
Meta said it is also expanding the types of digital collectibles that the users can showcase on Instagram to include video and adding support for the Solana blockchain and Phantom wallet, in addition to the blockchains and wallets that it already supports. 

Also, Instagram creators can now earn money from fans who love their Reels. To support their favourite creators, fans can send gifts on Reels by buying Stars on Instagram. 

Read more: Restricted from Twitter, Instagram; Kanye to buy conservative social network Parler

Meta has been adding features for content creators to help them reach an audience, grow their communities, and make money on its social media apps as it competes with TikTok and others at a time when influencers are driving revenue to these platforms through advertising.