Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
The Best Investment for Gen Z? Building a Social Media Account as an Asset in 2026
Ruby Layram
22nd Jan 2026
When we think about investing, we usually think about stocks, property, gold or even crypto.
But what if we told you there’s an alternative investment you can start with no money at all, just a few hours a week, that can grow into something you can sell or earn from long-term?
Welcome to the idea of social media accounts as digital assets.
This is an investment opportunity that I am personally super excited about and believe has HUGE potential in 2026.
In this post, I will explain exactly how you can build a social media account asset and explore how much you could make!
You might also like: How to get started with investing
Social Media as an Investment?
At first glance, building a social media account doesn’t sound like investing. It sounds like a hobby.
But in reality, well-built social media accounts are increasingly seen as “digital real estate”, online assets that:
- Take time and effort to build
- Become more valuable as they grow
- Can generate income
- Can be sold outright for cash
In fact, social media accounts with around 50,000 followers can sell for up to $2,000, depending on:
- The niche
- Engagement rate
- Platform
- Audience demographics
And some accounts, especially YouTube channels, can be worth significantly more.
Why Social Media Accounts Have Value
Social media platforms already have something incredibly valuable, attention.
When you build an account with a real, engaged audience, you’re effectively creating a channel that brands, businesses and creators are willing to pay for.
Buyers might want an account to:
- Promote products or services
- Monetise through ads or affiliates
- Use it as a marketing channel
- Skip the slow “starting from zero” phase
Just like a website with strong traffic, a social media account saves time. And time has value.
Which Platforms Are Worth the Most?
Not all platforms are valued equally.
Generally speaking:
-
YouTube = most valuable
- Long-form content
- Built-in ad revenue
- High buyer demand
-
Instagram = strong resale value
- Brand-friendly
- Easy (ier) to maintain and grow
- Relevant to just about every type of business
-
TikTok = growing but more volatile
- Fast growth potential
- Very popular amongst Gen Z
-
- High viral potential
On every platform, niche and engagement often matter more than follower count alone.
An account with 5000 followers and an engagement rate of 20% will be much more valuable than an account with 100,000 followers and an engagement rate of 0.5%! It’s in the Maths.
No. You Don’t Need to Show Your Face
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to be an influencer. But don’t worry! You don’t.
Faceless accounts can be just as valuable, especially in niches like:
- Finance
- Motivation
- Facts and education
- Quotes and storytelling
- History, science or curiosities
- Clips, compilations and explainers
Many buyers actually prefer faceless accounts because they’re easier to rebrand or scale.
Top tip: When choosing an account name, opt for something that could be a brand (not your legal name!). This will make it much easier to rebrand further down the line when you decide to sell it.
No Money Required. But Time Is the Investment
Unlike traditional investments, this one doesn’t require capital to start. Anyone can set up a social media account for free.
Instead, the “currency” is time and consistency.
You can realistically build a valuable account by spending:
- Around 5 hours per week
- Creating content
- Posting consistently
- Learning what performs well
Over months, those hours compound, just like money would in a traditional investment.
The most successful creators are patient. They trust the process, don’t get put off by slower periods and stay consistent no matter what.
How Do People Make Money From Social Media Accounts?
There are two main ways social media accounts generate returns:
1. Selling the account
Once an account reaches a certain size and engagement level, it can be sold on marketplaces or through private buyers.
The price depends on:
- Follower count
- Engagement rate
- Niche
- Platform
- Monetisation history
Treat your account like any other investment. Let the value compound over time instead of selling as soon as it has value!
2. Ongoing income
Instead of selling, some people keep the account and earn through:
- Affiliate links
- Sponsored posts
- Ad revenue (especially YouTube)
- Driving traffic to websites or products
In this sense, a social account can behave like a digital rental property, producing income over time.
Is This a “Low-Risk” Investment?
Financially, yes- because you’re not putting money in.
But there are other risks to be aware of:
- Platform rule changes.
- Algorithm shifts.
- Accounts being banned if guidelines aren’t followed.
- Time investment without guaranteed results.
- The value of social media accounts going down due to digital trend changes.
That’s why it’s best seen as a diversifier, not a replacement for traditional investing.
Who Is This Type of Investment Best For?
Building social media as an asset can suit people who:
- Want to start investing with no money
- Have more time than cash
- Enjoy learning digital skills
- Like the idea of building something from scratch
- Want a flexible, location-independent project
It can sit nicely alongside more traditional investments, especially for younger investors or anyone looking to build long-term digital income streams.
Also read: 8 types of investments to consider in 2026
Final thoughts
Websites, newsletters, YouTube channels and social media accounts are increasingly being treated as legitimate assets.
They take time to build, can produce income, and can be sold, just like businesses.
If you’re looking for an alternative investment that:
- Costs nothing to start
- Builds skills as well as value
- Can grow quietly in the background
…then building a social media account may be one of the most accessible forms of modern digital investing available today.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here, including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies, are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. When investing your capital is at risk.
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