How to become a Popular Investor on eToro?

Becoming a Popular Investor on eToro can be a smart way to earn extra income while building your reputation as a trader. But if you’re just starting out, the idea might feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re thinking, “Am I good enough to get copied by others?” or “What if I lose money and let people down?”

The truth is, eToro’s Popular Investor Program is designed for everyday traders — not just market pros. With patience, smart risk management, and the right mindset, it’s possible to grow into a trusted figure on the platform. Let’s walk through the entire process step by step, with no jargon and plenty of real-world advice.

Quick Overview: 6 Steps to Become a Popular Investor

1. Build a professional profile
2. Trade consistently with real funds
3. Keep your risk score in check
4. Apply to the program
5. Attract and retain copiers
6. Rise through the tiers

What Is the eToro Popular Investor Program?

The Popular Investor Program is eToro’s social trading system that rewards skilled and responsible traders when others copy them. When someone copies your trades and you meet certain requirements, eToro pays you a monthly payment based on how much money you manage for others.

There are four levels in the program:

• Cadet (beginner tier)
• Rising Star
• Champion
• Elite

Each tier brings better benefits — from fixed payments to percentage-based management fees on total copied assets. The more consistent and trusted you become, the more you earn.

You don’t need to be famous or rich to start — just responsible, patient, and consistent.

Step 1: Build a Trustworthy and Professional Profile

Before anyone follows your trades, they’ll look at your profile. This is your storefront — and first impressions matter.

Here’s how to make it strong:

• Upload a clear, friendly photo (no blank avatars)
• Use your real name or a consistent username
• Write a short but honest bio about your trading style and goals
• Keep your portfolio public — private stats turn people away
• Post updates at least weekly to show you’re active

Example of a good bio: “Long-term investor focused on US tech stocks and ETFs. I post weekly updates and avoid high-risk moves. Here to grow slowly and help others learn.”

Example of a poor bio: “Follow for profits. I trade fast and win big. Let’s get rich.”

Pro Tip: New traders often filter profiles by recent updates and visible portfolios. If your activity looks stale, they’ll scroll right past you.

Step 2: Start Trading With Real Money (and With a Plan)

Once your profile is set, it’s time to trade with real capital. You must use at least $1,000 of your own money to qualify for the program.

Here’s what you need early on:

• Minimum 2 months of live trading history
• Avoid major losses or wild swings
• Use low-to-medium risk trades (risk score under 7)
• Stick to a strategy, not random high-risk bets

Many successful investors avoid high leverage and focus on steady growth using stocks, ETFs, and sometimes a bit of crypto.

Real insight from eToro forums: Traders who avoid chasing short-term profits and instead aim for low drawdowns are more likely to attract loyal copiers — and approval from eToro’s team.

Step 3: Keep Your Risk Score Under Control

Every eToro trader has a public risk score (1–10). It’s based on how you trade, how diversified you are, and how wild your results get.

What increases your risk:

• High leverage
• Overtrading
• Putting all money into one asset
• Huge daily swings

What lowers it:

• Steady performance
• Diversified portfolio
• Using little to no leverage
• Taking smaller, thoughtful trades

A score between 3 and 6 is ideal. If your score hits 7 or 8, you might be removed from the program — even if you’re making money.

Pro Tip: Copiers filter traders by risk level. Keeping your score stable gets you seen more often.

Step 4: Apply to the Program (You’re Ready)

When you’ve got two solid months of real trades, a good profile, and a risk score under control, you can apply to become a Popular Investor.

Here’s what eToro checks:

• Your trading history
• Risk consistency
• Bio, photo, and overall profile
• Communication style (are you clear and calm?)

They don’t want perfect traders — they want responsible ones who can grow a community of copiers and help others succeed. Apply directly through your dashboard. Most approvals take a few days.

Step 5: Attract and Retain Copiers

Now the fun begins — people can start copying you. But just showing up isn’t enough. You need to earn and keep their trust.

How to grow your copier base:

• Write weekly or monthly updates about your trades
• Share market insights in a simple, honest way
• Respond to questions or comments in your feed
• Keep your trades copy-friendly (low leverage, high liquidity)
• Be calm during volatility — it shows leadership

What to post in your feed

• Weekly portfolio summary
• Why you entered/exited a trade
• Market news + how you’re reacting
• Your watchlist for the week
• A lesson you learned from the past week

Micro-story from the community: A trader named Sam started with zero copiers. He posted every Sunday, explaining what went well, what didn’t, and what he planned next. Within 3 months, he had 70+ copiers — not because he was flashy, but because he was honest and consistent.

Step 6: Move Up the Ranks and Earn More

The more people copy you — and the more money they allocate — the more you get rewarded. Here’s a breakdown:

• Cadet: Entry level, no monthly payment yet
• Rising Star: $500+ in copy assets, $500/month (approx.)
• Champion: $50,000+ in copy assets, $1,000/month + rebates
• Elite: $500,000+ in copy assets, 2% management fee on AUM

To move up, focus on performance, engagement, and risk control. If your AUM drops or you stop communicating, you can be demoted or removed.

Pro Tip: Many Popular Investors grow slowly but steadily. Don’t worry if it takes months to reach Champion or Elite — the journey itself builds your trading skill and confidence.

What If You’re Not Sure You’re Ready?

If you’re still nervous, you’re not alone. Many top traders on eToro started with fear, doubt, and small accounts.

Just remember:

• You don’t need to be perfect, just consistent
• Your job is to trade responsibly, not to guarantee profits
• People copy you by choice — you’re not managing their money directly

The Popular Investor path is about more than earnings — it’s about leadership, learning, and long-term growth. You already have what it takes if you’re willing to keep showing up, learning, and sharing.

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FAQs

1. How long does it take to become a Popular Investor? Usually at least 2 months of trading with real money is required, but it often takes longer to meet all criteria and apply successfully

2. Can I be removed from the program if my performance drops? Yes, if your risk score rises too high or you’re inactive for a long time, eToro may pause or end your participation

3. Do I need to use a specific strategy? No, but low-to-medium risk strategies with clear logic tend to perform best and attract more copiers

4. What happens if I lose money while being copied? Losses happen — it’s how you handle them that counts; honest communication can build long-term trust

5. How much can I earn as a Popular Investor? Payments start small at lower tiers but can grow significantly with more copy assets — Elite members earn a 2% annual fee on total copied capital

6. Is there a risk to being copied? No direct risk to you — others are copying your trades, not giving you their funds, and your account is still under your control

7. Can I leave the program anytime? Yes, you’re not locked in; you can stop being a Popular Investor or pause your participation if you choose

8. Can I still trade how I want once I join? Yes, you’re in full control of your trading, but consistency is key if you want to keep and grow your followers

9. What are the biggest mistakes to avoid? Overleveraging, emotional trading, lack of communication, and making sudden changes in your strategy without explanation

10. Is this suitable for beginners? It can be, especially for those who are responsible, eager to learn, and able to stick to a plan — you don’t need to be a market expert to start