TikTok Creator Fund: How It Worked and Its Replacement

Like most social media platforms, TikTok has experimented with a few monetization options to reward creators for making engaging posts. The platform began with the TikTok Creator Fund before transitioning to the Creator Rewards Program.

Learn why they made the switch and how to join TikTok’s Creator Fund successor.

How Did the TikTok Creator Fund Work?

TikTok introduced the Creator Fund in 2020 to pay influencers for making successful videos. The purpose was to encourage top talent to continue making videos for their TikTok accounts rather than other social media platforms.

When the Creator Fund launched in the United States, TikTok started with $200 million and said it would increase to $1 billion over three years. However, at the end of 2023, TikTok discontinued the Creator Fund and implemented a new program.

Creator Fund vs. the TikTok Creator Rewards Program: What Changed?

In 2023, TikTok launched the beta version of the Creativity Program to address shortcomings with the Creator Fund. TikTok ended this beta trial in March 2024 and officially introduced the Creator Rewards Program. 

While the application process and guidelines didn’t change too much, TikTok made a couple of important tweaks to the fund.

Improved Dashboard and Educational Resources

The updated program offers an enhanced analytic dashboard. In it, you can track information like monetization eligibility, video engagement, and rewards. TikTok also launched the Creator Academy, an education center that provides information on how to make content. Both resources aim to give you more visibility into how videos perform on TikTok. 

More Insight Into Creator Payouts

While TikTok didn’t specify exactly how payouts would change under the new program, they offered a glimpse into the general structure.

At launch, TikTok summarized five categories they use to calculate rewards: 

• Video length — Uploads now must be at least a minute long to qualify for monetization. TikTok wants to promote longer-form content, since views on those videos have increased by nearly 40%.
• Originality — The content you create must be your own to be eligible to earn. Plus, according to TikTok, videos must highlight the creator’s “point of view or creative thought process in a way that resonates with their community.” 
• Play duration — The platform pays more based on a video’s watch time and finish rate.
• Audience engagement — You’ll earn more for the typical but all-important metrics, including likes, comments, and shares. 
• Search value — Videos that TikTok users search for, like trending challenges and topics, make more.

TikTok also said the new Creators Rewards Program would compensate creators for the time their viewers spend watching ads.

What Are the Requirements for Joining the Creator Rewards Program?

To be eligible for the program, TikTokers must meet the following TikTok Creator Fund requirements:

• Age — You must be at least 18 (or 19 in South Korea).
• Follower count — Your account must have a minimum of 10,000 followers. 
• Video views — Your videos must have generated at least 100,000 views in the 30 days before you apply. 
• Geographical location — You must reside in one of the TikTok Creator Fund available countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil). 
• Account compliance — Your account must be in good standing with TikTok’s user terms and community guidelines.

Videos also have to meet specific quality requirements. According to TikTok, this means your content must: 

• Be at least one minute long and align with TikTok’s “mission of inspiring joy and creativity.”
• Be free of graphic or dangerous behavior.
• Avoid using clickbait. 
• Not include personal contact information or redirect to a third-party platform. 
• Not be low-quality, which TikTok defines as “split-screen videos, irrelevant reactions, slides format, random shots, Q&A format, screen recordings or black screens.” Plagiarized content also falls into this category.

How To Apply for the Creator Rewards Program

Once you meet the eligibility requirements, follow these steps to monetize your TikTok content:

1. Open settings — Head to your profile, and click the “Menu” button (three stacked lines).
2. Find the application — Tap “TikTok Studio” and “Creator Rewards Program.” 
3. Sign up — Apply, then wait three days to see whether you qualify.

What Does TikTok’s Creator Program Pay?

TikTok says that content creators participating in the program can make up to 20 times more than they could with the old monetization fund. Earnings typically range from $4.00–$8.00 per 1,000 views and $100–$600 per million views. 

However, several factors impact how much you’ll make, including: 

• Video views — As with any social media platform, the more views you receive, the more money you make.
• Engagement — TikTok values likes, comments, shares, and watch time. So, use your creativity to hook and engage your followers. The right combination can translate into higher earnings. 
• Geography — Your location can impact your funds.
• View authenticity — View bots, fake accounts, or other disingenuous engagement methods can negatively impact how much you make. If you try these tactics, TikTok can remove you from the Creator Rewards Program.

Other Ways To Monetize TikTok Accounts

Although the Creator Rewards Program helps creators make a living online, it’s not the only option for earning money on the platform. Here are a few additional methods:

• Brand sponsorships — Influencers with significant followings often partner with companies to promote their products and services. How much you’ll earn varies depending on your niche, number of followers, and amount of contracted videos.
• Affiliate marketing — This involves signing up for a company’s affiliate program and sharing links to their products. For each sale you generate, you’ll earn a commission. 
• Live gifts and donations — TikTok’s LIVE Gifts feature lets followers give creators virtual gifts called Diamonds during streams. You can convert these Diamonds to cash. Another option is asking viewers to send donations through platforms like Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. 
• Merchandise — Some creators develop and use their brand to produce merch, such as T-shirts and mugs. You can further monetize your content by promoting your products in TikTok videos and livestreams. 

Reach Your Content Creation Goals With Captions

By generating consistent, high-quality TikTok content, you’re more likely to earn money from the Creator Rewards Program. To improve your videos so you’re in a better position to monetize them, try Captions. Our AI TikTok Video Generator creates and edits content that perfectly suits TikTok’s algorithm.

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Make higher quality content faster with Captions.