The TikTok Creator Rewards Program is a way to support and reward creators for their content and creativity.
But even after several years of the Creator Rewards Program running, TikTok users still aren't sure whether it will benefit them, if it's worth joining, or if there is a better way to monetize their content.
In this article, learn if the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is right for you, the pros and cons, and how to join it as a creator.
What is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
TikTok introduced the Creator Rewards Program as an alternative way to earn money and incentivize content creation on the app rather than using an ad-revenue-sharing program. Creators receive payments based on a video’s performance, including views, engagement, and audience authenticity.
The company also announced plans to increase the fund to $1 billion in the US over a three-year period, demonstrating the platform's commitment to supporting content creators financially.
How do I join the Creator Rewards Program?
It's easy to apply to the Creator Rewards Program via the TikTok app.
However, only certain TikTok users are eligible to join. These are the current requirements you need to adhere to before you can apply:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must be based in the US, the UK, France, Spain, Germany, or Italy
- You must have 10,000+ followers
- You must have 100,000+ authentic video views in the last 30 days
- You must adhere to the platform's community guidelines and terms of service
- You must consistently create high-quality, original content that follows TikTok's policies
If you're eligible, you can enroll in the Creator Rewards Program and join the creator economy by following these steps:
1. Once you're in the app, click Profile.
2. Select the three lines in the top right corner.
3. Navigate to your account settings and look for "Creator tools."
4. Select Creator Rewards Program.
5. Read and acknowledge the agreement.
6. Click Apply.
I've been rejected from the Creator Rewards Program. Can I reapply?
Yes. If you were rejected in error and are still hitting all the eligibility requirements and abiding by the TikTok community guidelines, you can reapply after 30 days.
How does the Creator Rewards Program work?
The old Creator Fund was often described as a "pie" that changed daily, with earnings being somewhat vague and unpredictable. The new Creator Rewards Program is designed to be more transparent and rewarding. The new program bases payments on a video's RPM (revenue per 1,000 views).
How much does the TikTok Creator Rewards Program pay?
The new Creator Rewards Program offers significantly higher payouts than the Creator Fund. Creators can now earn anywhere from $0.40 to $1.00 or more per 1,000 qualified views.
With the new Creator Rewards Program, 1 million views could earn you $400 to $1,000 or even more. This change is a direct response to creator complaints about low earnings and is designed to make content creation on the platform a more sustainable career.
Is there a minimum or maximum amount the TikTok Creator Rewards Program pays?
While there is no maximum payout, there is a minimum threshold for receiving a payout. However, you can't withdraw funds until you have at least $10 in your account. If your balance is below this threshold at the end of a month, the funds will roll over to the next month.
How are the funds calculated?
The payment structure is based on a concept called RPM (Revenue Per Mille), which is the revenue you earn for every 1,000 "qualified" video views.
The main factors that directly influence your RPM are::
- Video length
- Location of the views
- Watch time and finish rate
- Audience engagement
- Originality
- Sticking to the community guidelines and terms of service
Should I join the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
Are you still on the fence about joining the TikTok Creator Rewards Program? Here’s a list of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Pros
- Pay for content you're already creating. If you're going to continue creating incredible TikTok videos, you might as well get paid for it.
- It doesn't affect your views or engagement. TikTok explicitly states that joining the Creator Rewards Program won't affect your video's performance.
- Inspiration to create. TikTok is hoping the Creator Fund will help inspire users to create more content.
- You can leave. Not getting on with the Creator Rewards Program? You can opt out. There's no commitment.
- No obligations. Unlike working with brands, there are no restrictions on who you can partner with and what content you can produce.
Cons
- Inconsistency. There's no official way to calculate how much you're going to earn from the Creator Rewards Program as payouts vary depending on video performance. This is frustrating and can make it hard to predict your monthly earnings.
- Alternative monetization opportunities. There are tons of ways, other than the Creator Rewards Program, you can generate income from your content, including joining the Creator Marketplace, AdSense, and brand sponsorships. Explore your options and join the creator economy. It's booming.
Final thoughts
Joining the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is highly recommended for eligible creators. The pros of participating definitely outweigh any potential downsides, and you can easily opt out if the program doesn't align with your goals. The Creator Rewards Program offers a great way to earn a more substantial income from content, with payouts reported to be up to 20 times higher than the original Creator Fund.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program FAQ
What is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?
The TikTok Creator Rewards Program is a way for creators to earn money from their TikTok videos.
How much does the TikTok Creator Rewards Program pay?
Creators can now earn anywhere from $0.40 to $1.00 or more per 1,000 qualified views.
How much can you earn from the TikTok Creator Rewards Program for videos with 1 million views?
With the new Creator Rewards Program, 1 million views could earn you $400 to $1,000 or even more.