TikTok now runs two parallel monetization programs in 2026, each with distinct eligibility thresholds. The original Creator Fund requires 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days, while the newer Creator Rewards Program sets its follower bar at 10,000 but lowers the view requirement to just 1,000 views in 30 days for original content over one minute. Across both programs, creators must be at least 18 years old, reside in an eligible country (including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), and maintain an account in good standing. Roughly 2-4% of all TikTok accounts currently meet these thresholds, and the average eligible creator earns between $0.02 and $0.05 per 1,000 views depending on the program. This guide breaks down every requirement so you know exactly where you stand before applying.
Current TikTok Creator Fund and Rewards Eligibility Criteria Explained
The short answer: if you are 18 or older, have at least 10,000 followers, have accumulated 100,000 views in the last 30 days (or 1,000 views for Creator Rewards), live in an eligible region, and have no active community guidelines violations, you qualify. The Creator Rewards Program, which TikTok rolled out as a replacement for the original Creator Fund in most markets throughout 2024 and 2025, pays significantly higher rates but requires original content longer than one minute. In early 2026, TikTok confirmed that both programs remain active, though Creator Rewards is the primary monetization path for new applicants in the US and EU.
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Here is a side-by-side comparison of every eligibility requirement across both programs as of February 2026:
| Requirement | Creator Fund | Creator Rewards Program |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 years old | 18 years old |
| Follower count | 10,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Video views (30 days) | 100,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Minimum video length | No minimum | Over 1 minute |
| Content originality | Standard (no reposts) | Must be original content |
| Account standing | Good standing, no active strikes | Good standing, no active strikes |
| Account type | Personal or Creator | Personal or Creator |
| Available countries | US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain | US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Japan, South Korea |
| Application method | In-app Creator Tools | In-app Creator Tools |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days | 1-3 business days |
The most significant difference is the view threshold. Creator Fund demands 100,000 views in the trailing 30-day window, which effectively locks out creators who post infrequently or whose content averages fewer than 3,300 views per day. Creator Rewards drops that barrier to just 1,000 views, making it accessible to a much wider pool of creators, but compensates by requiring every monetized video to exceed one minute in length and be genuinely original.
How Current TikTok Creator Fund and Rewards Eligibility Criteria Works
TikTok evaluates eligibility through an automated system that checks your account metrics in real time when you submit your application through the Creator Tools menu. The platform pulls your current follower count, calculates your rolling 30-day view total, verifies your age from your account registration data, and cross-references your account against any active community guidelines violations. If all criteria are met, approval typically arrives within one to five business days, though Creator Rewards applications tend to process faster.
One critical detail many creators miss: the 30-day view count is a rolling window, not a calendar month. TikTok recalculates this figure daily. If you hit 100,000 views on January 15 but your oldest qualifying views start dropping off by February 14, your total could dip below the threshold before your application processes. The safest approach is to apply when your 30-day view count sits at least 20-30% above the minimum requirement.
Your account standing is evaluated against TikTok's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. A single minor violation that has been resolved usually will not disqualify you, but any active strike at the time of application triggers an automatic rejection. Creators who have had strikes removed can reapply immediately, though TikTok recommends waiting at least 30 days after a strike resolution to ensure the system has fully updated.
Age
You must be at least 18 years old to join either the Creator Fund or the Creator Rewards Program. TikTok verifies age through the birthdate you provided during account registration. There is no way to change this date after account creation without contacting TikTok support directly and providing government-issued identification.
Creators between 13 and 17 can build their audience and content library, but they cannot monetize through either program until they turn 18. Once you reach the age threshold, your existing follower count and view history count toward eligibility immediately. You do not need to accumulate followers or views only after turning 18.
If you entered an incorrect birthdate when creating your account, TikTok's support process for age correction typically takes 7-14 business days and requires a clear photo of a valid ID. Plan ahead if your 18th birthday is approaching and your account birthdate does not match your actual date of birth.
Followers
Both programs require a minimum of 10,000 followers. This is your total follower count at the time of application, not your net gain over any specific period. Purchased or bot followers do count toward the raw number, but TikTok's systems periodically purge inauthentic accounts. If a purge drops you below 10,000 after approval, your monetization access can be paused until you recover the threshold.
Most creators reach 10,000 followers within 6-12 months of consistent posting, though accounts in high-engagement niches like entertainment, comedy, and lifestyle often hit this mark in 3-4 months. The median time to 10,000 followers on TikTok in 2026 is approximately 8 months for creators posting at least 4 times per week.
Building a genuine follower base matters beyond the raw count. Accounts with high follower-to-engagement ratios tend to earn higher per-view payouts from the Creator Fund because TikTok's algorithm distributes their content to more engaged audiences, which drives up RPM.
Views
The view requirement is where the two programs diverge most dramatically. Creator Fund demands 100,000 views in the past 30 days. Creator Rewards requires only 1,000 views in the same window. This 100x difference reflects TikTok's strategy to funnel creators toward longer-form original content through Creator Rewards rather than maintaining the legacy Fund.
For Creator Fund, 100,000 views in 30 days translates to roughly 3,333 views per day on average. A creator posting once daily needs each video to average at least 3,333 views. A creator posting three times daily needs only about 1,111 views per post. Volume and consistency play directly into meeting this threshold.
For Creator Rewards, the 1,000-view bar is intentionally low. Almost any active creator who posts regularly will exceed this number. The real gate for Creator Rewards is the content format requirement: videos must be longer than one minute and must be original. Compilations, re-uploads, and content that relies heavily on unoriginal audio or footage will not qualify for monetized views even if the creator's account is enrolled.
Understanding how views translate to actual dollars requires looking at RPM rates across different strategies, since raw view counts only tell half the story.
Creator Fund Eligibility Requirements 2026 Data and Numbers
The data below reflects aggregated creator reports and TikTok's published guidelines as of February 2026:
- Average time to eligibility (new account): 6-12 months
- Percentage of TikTok accounts eligible for Creator Fund: approximately 2-3%
- Percentage of TikTok accounts eligible for Creator Rewards: approximately 4-6%
- Creator Fund average RPM: $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views
- Creator Rewards average RPM: $0.04-$0.08 per 1,000 views (for qualifying long-form content)
- Application approval rate (meeting all criteria): approximately 92%
- Most common rejection reason: 30-day view count below threshold at time of processing
- Second most common rejection reason: active community guidelines violation
Country availability also affects earning potential significantly. US-based creators consistently earn the highest RPMs, followed by UK and Western European creators. TikTok expanded Creator Rewards eligibility to Brazil, Japan, and South Korea in late 2025, though RPM rates in these newer markets tend to run 30-50% lower than US rates.
The gap between Creator Fund and Creator Rewards earnings is substantial. Creators who have compared Creator Rewards vs Creator Fund payouts report that Rewards pays 2-3x more per view for eligible content. This makes the transition to longer-form original content financially worthwhile for creators who currently rely on the legacy Fund.
How to Improve Your Results
If you do not yet meet the eligibility criteria, here is a targeted roadmap to get there:
To reach 10,000 followers faster:
- Post 4-7 times per week consistently. TikTok's algorithm favors accounts that demonstrate regular activity.
- Focus on one niche for your first 30-60 days. The algorithm categorizes your account based on early content signals, and niche consistency helps it find your ideal audience faster.
- Engage with trending sounds and formats within your niche, but always add original commentary or perspective.
- Respond to comments on your videos within the first hour of posting. Early engagement signals boost distribution.
To hit the 100,000 view threshold (Creator Fund):
- Increase posting frequency temporarily. Three posts per day for two weeks can accumulate views rapidly even if individual videos perform modestly.
- Leverage TikTok's duet and stitch features to tap into existing high-view content.
- Post during peak hours for your target audience. For US audiences, 7-9 AM and 7-11 PM EST consistently show the highest initial engagement rates in 2026.
To qualify for Creator Rewards:
- Start producing content over one minute. This is the single most important shift for accessing the higher-paying program.
- Ensure all content is original. Remove any re-used footage, and use only original audio or properly licensed sounds.
- Focus on educational, tutorial, or story-driven formats that naturally support longer watch times.
Understanding your estimated TikTok earnings potential can help you set realistic goals as you build toward eligibility. Many creators find that the journey to 10,000 followers also builds the audience engagement habits that lead to higher RPM rates once they are monetized.
Calculate Your Creator Fund Eligibility Requirements 2026
Ready to see where you stand? Use our TikTok Creator Fund calculator to input your current follower count, average views, and posting frequency. The calculator estimates how close you are to meeting eligibility thresholds for both the Creator Fund and Creator Rewards Program, and projects how long it may take to qualify based on your current growth trajectory.
If you already meet the requirements, the calculator also estimates your potential monthly earnings based on your view volume and niche. Creators who understand their numbers before applying tend to set more realistic expectations and make better decisions about whether to pursue Creator Fund, Creator Rewards, or both.
For a deeper understanding of how TikTok calculates your payouts once you are enrolled, explore our complete guide to TikTok monetization strategies. The eligibility threshold is just the starting line. What you do with your monetized account determines whether TikTok becomes a meaningful revenue stream or a minor bonus on top of your content creation efforts.