To stay competitive among social platforms and to address complaints about low payouts from its original (and now discontinued) Creator Fund, TikTok has launched a new monetization tool: the Creator Rewards Program.
According to TikTok, the Creator Rewards Program (formerly known as the Creativity Program Beta) is designed to reward creators for making “high-quality, original content that is over a minute long.” The initiative is one of TikTok’s latest monetization solutions for creators, including the ad revenue share program TikTok Pulse, LIVE Gifts, as well as the paywall feature Series.
Is TikTok finally getting it right with this new fund? And how do you join this new program, anyway? Below, we break down everything you need to know about the TikTok Creator Rewards.
What is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
Previously launched in beta as the “Creativity Program,” TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program is a new way to reward content creators financially. It arrives with an updated, “optimized rewards formula” that prioritizes four key elements, including:
- Originality
- Play duration
- Search value
- Audience engagement
The program is supposed to be the answer to complaints that some creators had about the subpar payouts from the original TikTok Creator Fund. One of the biggest criticisms of the Creator Fund is that it just didn’t pay enough, with some creators saying they only made $20-$30 a month even though their videos had millions of views. TikTok eventually discontinued the fund in late 2023.
How much does the TikTok Creator Rewards pay you?
So, is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program going to support creators who felt somewhat demoralized by the lackluster Creator Fund? At this point, it’s still too early to say. However, TikTok did claim that with this new program, creators can earn 20 times the amount they were making through the original fund.
In its latest press release, TikTok also said that thanks to the Creator Rewards, creator earnings have jumped 250% from September 2023 to March 2024, and that the number of creators making $50,000 a month has nearly doubled. If you’re eligible for it, the program is certainly worth a shot.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program eligibility
Interested in monetizing through the TikTok Creator Rewards? Here are the requirements for joining the program. Eligible creators should:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have at least 10,000 followers.
- Have a minimum of 100,000 valid video views in the last 30 days.
- Have a personal account that’s in good standing. Business accounts are not accepted.
- Abide by TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
- Be located in a region where the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is available, including:
- Brazil
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Korea
- United Kingdom
- United States
How to join the TikTok Creator Rewards
To apply for the TikTok Creator Rewards, simply follow these steps:
- Tap Profile on the TikTok app. at the bottom of your feed.
- Then, tap the Menu button (☰) and select Settings.
- Select Creator tools.
- Tap Creator Rewards Program to apply.
You’ll receive a notification on whether your application is successful within three days after you’ve submitted your application.
TikTok Creator Rewards vs. Creator Fund: Key differences
TikTok Creator Rewards |
TikTok Creator Fund |
🌎Available in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil. |
🌎Only available in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. |
🕑TikToks have to be at least a minute long to be eligible. |
🕑No minimum length requirement. |
💰It’s supposed to pay a lot more! |
💵Creators criticized the Fund for low payouts. |
It’s available in more regions
It’s early in the game for the TikTok Creator Rewards, but even so, the program is already available to creators in several countries including the U.S., U.K., Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, and Korea. Keep your eyes peeled as TikTok continues to expand the Creator Rewards to other regions.
Videos have to be longer than one minute
Only eligible creators posting longer videos of over one minute can start earning from TikTok Creator Rewards. In fact, the platform even encourages creators to film videos up to 10 minutes from the TikTok app or upload horizontal videos up to 30 minutes long on the TikTok website. For some, this seems to be a sign that TikTok is trying to compete with YouTube on longer videos.
On the contrary, the TikTok Creator Fund had no such requirement. It didn’t matter how long your videos were, you just needed a minimum of 10k followers and 100k views over the past 30 days.
It’s supposed to pay creators (a lot) more
One of the complaints about TikTok’s Creator Fund was just how small the payouts were. Some creators were so dejected that they wanted to quit making content altogether. So how does the Creator Rewards shape up in comparison?
A TikTok spokesperson told The Verge that creators can expect to make 20 times the amount they were making through the original fund, which sounds promising.
To help you get an idea of estimated revenue you can make with this new program, some creators have already started sharing their numbers online:
So is this going to be the typical creator’s experience? Or are we looking at outliers? Only time will tell. But so far, it does seem like the TikTok Creator Rewards is rewarding creators with more money than the Creator Fund.
Tips to make more money with the Creator Rewards Program
The best way to earn more from the Creator Rewards Program is to get more views and get more engagement. To do that, you’ll have to make more content, make it more engaging, and listen to your audience to find out what they want to see. Here are some hot tips for getting more out of your content.
Try filming in landscape format
Seems a little strange, right? After all, TikTok is known for its short-form, vertical content, perfect for doomscrolling on your phone. But according to some creators, TikTok has been recommending that creators make their videos in landscape (or horizontal) so they’re eligible for Creator Rewards.
You might not want to make all your videos in landscape, but try a few out to see if it impacts your views.
Brainstorm ideas for longer videos
With the Creator Rewards Program, longer is better. They have to be a minute long to even be eligible, but it seems like TikTok wants to encourage creators to post even longer videos. If you’re always making shorter content, you’ll need to brainstorm a few ideas.
Look at what you’ve been making so far. Is there anything that would benefit from being at least a few minutes longer? The key is you don’t want to make content that feels like it’s been padded for length, but has just enough time to make its point. This will take some experimentation for sure!
Review TikTok’s guidelines to avoid any issues
Because the Creator Rewards Program will have you experimenting with your content, you’ll be tempted to push some boundaries. But since abiding by TikTok’s Community Guidelines is essential for your TikToks to be eligible, you’ll want to review them every so often when you’re taking risks with your content.
Use analytics to make better content
Imagine how successful your content would be if you could read your audience’s minds. Well while TikTok analytics won’t necessarily let you see into their hearts, you’ll at least get a better idea of how your content’s performed, what works best with your audience, and what you should be making next. Check-in regularly to see what’s getting popular and what you should make more of.
9 ways to make more money on TikTok
While the Creator Rewards Program is a great way to monetize your content, it’s far from the only option you have. TikTok has launched more than a few methods for creators to start raking it in, and here are some of the best ones.
LIVE Gifts
Going live on TikTok is one of the easiest ways to earn some cash on the platform. When you go live, your audience can use Diamonds (i.e. TikTok’s digital currency) to buy virtual gifts, as a way to thank you for creating great content. TikToker Pinkydoll made a splash earning a ton of money from LIVE gifts, up to $7,000 a day by some estimates.
Subscriptions
Once only available for LIVE creators, TikTok has expanded subscriptions to make them available for all creators. Through subscriptions, you can earn recurring monthly revenue from your most dedicated followers in exchange for exclusive perks. Perks like:
- Exclusive content, from special videos to LIVEs and notes.
- Private channels, like a Sub Space, private chats, and other ways to interact with you directly.
- Stickers and badges that can be used during LIVEs or next to a subscriber’s name in comments.
- Customized perks, from performance requests to Discord roles and shoutouts.
Series
TikTok Series lets you put longer content of up to 20 minutes behind a paywall, allowing you to create exclusive, premium content while monetizing your audience. You can use a Series to create mini-courses, share exclusive podcast episodes, or even create your own mini TV show!
TikTok Pulse
TikTok Pulse is a revenue-sharing program for advertising. Brands can put their ads next to top-performing TikToks, and the creators who made those TikToks get a share of the ad revenue they bring in. It’s a win-win for brands and creators, though you really have to be at the top of your game to benefit from this one!
Sell digital products
If you have an audience on TikTok, you can make money by creating and selling digital products on the platform. From templates to ebooks to mini-courses, you can create different digital products based on your niche and what your audience needs. Once you’ve come up with a product, you can use TikTok as a marketing channel to boost your sales.
Create UGC
Many brands pay creators to make authentic-feeling, UGC-like content to promote their products on TikTok. If you have the ability to create high-converting content, this is a great way to flex your skills and earn some money.
Sell physical products on TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop allows brands to sell products through the platform and even add links to them to a specific TikTok. For users, it’s a great way to buy products from brands and creators they love, since they just need to tap through a link that’ll get them to a product page and allow them to check out without going to another website.
As a creator, you can get in on the action too! Whether you’re looking to sell merch or launch your own physical product, TikTok Shop makes it a whole lot easier.
Become an affiliate marketer
Affiliate marketers can make bank by recommending products to their audience and earning a commission off of each sale. With the TikTok Shop affiliate program, you can be an affiliate marketer without relying on any other platform! You just need to find products you want to market through TikTok Shop, reach out to the seller, and start recommending them in your content!
Apply for the Creator Effect Rewards
Are you good at making viral-worthy AR (augmented reality) effects and filters? This $6 million fund pays the creators behind TikTok’s top-performing effects. You can earn up to $14,000 from a single effect if it’s used in 10 million unique videos.
Need more tips for making money on TikTok?
Even if the TikTok Creator Fund was a bit of a dud, the Creator Rewards Program makes it possible for you to make substantial income through TikTok. Besides the platform’s own monetization tools, explore other revenue opportunities like selling digital products, creating UGC for brands, or partnering with brands on sponsored content.
For more tips and ideas, get our free guide on how to make money on TikTok!
FAQ
What is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
The TikTok Creator Rewards Program is a new monetization tool designed to reward creators for making high-quality original content longer than one minute. It’s believed that the program will better reward TikTok creators, as TikTok shared that it developed the program based on learnings and feedback from the original Creator Fund.
How do you qualify for the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
To qualify for the TikTok Creator Rewards, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be of age 18 or older.
- Have 10,000 followers or more.
- Have a minimum of 100,000 valid video views in the last month.
- Have a personal account that’s in good standing. Business accounts aren’t accepted.
- Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
You must also be located in a region where the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is available. See the full list below:
- Brazil
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Korea
- United Kingdom
- United States
How do I join the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
You can apply for the TikTok Creator Rewards by following these steps:
- Tap Profile on the TikTok app.
- Select Creator tools and then Creator Fund.
- Tap Creator tools and then Creator Rewards Program.
TikTok will then review your application, and notify you if it’s successful within three days after you’ve applied.
Follow The Leap on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more monetization tips for creators. We also make a newsletter.
Further reading
- How To Make Money on TikTok: 9 Effective Ways
- TikTok Is Shutting Down the Creator Fund. What Now?
- How Much Does TikTok Pay You?
- How To Sell Products on TikTok: A Beginner’s Guide
- TikTok Pulse: How Does the Revenue Share Program Work – And Is It Worth It?
- TikTok Effect Creator Rewards: What To Know About the $6 Million Fund
This article was originally published in March 2023, and updated in March 2024 with additional information.
