TikTok monetization requirements vary significantly across the platform's six major earning programs, with follower thresholds ranging from zero for affiliate marketing to 10,000 for the Creator Rewards Program. As of 2026, roughly 12% of TikTok creators meet the eligibility criteria for at least one monetization program. This checklist covers every requirement for every TikTok income stream so you know exactly what to work toward.
Master Eligibility Checklist for All TikTok Programs
Before diving into program-specific details, here is the complete side-by-side comparison of TikTok monetization requirements across all six earning programs. Use this table to quickly identify which programs you already qualify for and which ones you are closest to unlocking.
| Requirement | Creator Rewards | LIVE Gifts | TikTok Shop (Seller) | TikTok Shop (Affiliate) | Series | Subscriptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ | 18+ |
| Minimum Followers | 10,000 | 1,000 | None | 5,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Minimum Views (30 days) | 100,000 | None | None | None | None | None |
| Account Age | 30+ days | 30+ days | None | 30+ days | 30+ days | 90+ days |
| Account Standing | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Eligible Countries | US, UK, DE, FR, + more | 70+ countries | US, UK, ID, MY, + more | US, UK, ID, MY, + more | US, UK, FR, BR, + more | US only (expanding) |
| Content Requirements | 1-min+ original videos | None specific | Product listings | None specific | Premium collections | Exclusive content |
| Business Account Eligible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Bookmark this page and refer back to it as your account grows. Once you meet a program's requirements, apply immediately because approval can take 1-3 weeks depending on the program.
Check which programs you qualify for with our calculator -->
Creator Rewards Program Requirements
The Creator Rewards Program is TikTok's flagship monetization feature, paying creators $0.50 to $1.50 per 1,000 qualified views. It replaced the original Creator Fund and the Creativity Program Beta, and it offers substantially higher RPM rates than its predecessors.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Creator Rewards Program, you must meet all of the following criteria simultaneously:
- Follower count: At least 10,000 followers
- Video views: At least 100,000 video views in the past 30 days
- Age: 18 years or older
- Account type: Personal account (not a business account)
- Account standing: No active community guidelines violations
- Location: Must reside in an eligible country (US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, and several others)
- Content type: Videos must be at least 1 minute long and original
What Counts as a Qualified View
Not every view earns money under this program. TikTok filters out views that last less than 5 seconds, views from regions where the program is not active, and views on videos that are flagged as unoriginal or reposted content. Creators typically find that 40-70% of their total views count as qualified views, depending on their audience demographics and content style.
To estimate how your view count translates to actual earnings, use our Creator Fund earnings calculator. Understanding RPM (revenue per mille) helps you benchmark whether your content is performing above or below average for your niche.
LIVE Gifts Requirements
TikTok LIVE is one of the most accessible monetization features, requiring only 1,000 followers to unlock. During live streams, viewers send virtual gifts that convert to Diamonds and ultimately to cash.
Eligibility Criteria
- Follower count: At least 1,000 followers
- Age: 18 years or older (users 16-17 can go live but cannot receive gifts)
- Account age: At least 30 days old
- Account standing: No active violations or restrictions
- Location: Available in 70+ countries worldwide
Gift-to-Cash Conversion
Viewers purchase TikTok Coins with real money and use those Coins to buy virtual gifts. Creators receive the gift value as Diamonds, which convert to approximately $0.05 per Diamond. TikTok retains roughly 50% of the original purchase price, meaning creators receive about half of what viewers spend. For a detailed breakdown of the conversion math, see our TikTok Coins calculator.
Maximizing LIVE Earnings
Creators who stream consistently on a set schedule earn 2-4x more than those who go live sporadically. The most profitable LIVE niches include gaming, music performances, ASMR, Q&A sessions, and interactive challenges. Track your live earnings performance to identify which stream formats generate the most gifts.
TikTok Shop Requirements
TikTok Shop has two distinct pathways: selling your own products as a Shop Seller and promoting other sellers' products through the Shop Affiliate program. Each has different requirements.
Shop Seller Eligibility
- Follower count: No minimum required
- Age: 18 years or older
- Business documentation: Valid government ID, business license (if applicable), and bank account
- Location: US, UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, and select other markets
- Product compliance: Products must meet TikTok's commerce policies and prohibited items list
Sellers also need to provide shipping details and maintain acceptable fulfillment metrics (ship within 3 days, cancellation rate below 2%). Use our TikTok Shop revenue calculator to project your potential store earnings.
Shop Affiliate Eligibility
- Follower count: At least 5,000 followers
- Age: 18 years or older
- Account age: At least 30 days
- Account standing: Good standing with no active violations
- Content history: Must have published at least 5 videos in the past 28 days
Shop affiliates earn commissions of 5-20% depending on the product category and seller-set commission rates. This is one of the fastest paths to earning revenue because you don't need inventory, shipping, or customer service infrastructure.
TikTok Series Requirements
TikTok Series lets creators bundle premium videos behind a paywall at prices ranging from $0.99 to $189.99. It is designed for educational and in-depth content that provides clear value beyond what free videos offer.
Eligibility Criteria
- Follower count: At least 10,000 followers
- Age: 18 years or older
- Account type: Personal creator account
- Account age: At least 30 days
- Account standing: Good standing
- Content history: Consistent posting history with original content
- Location: US, UK, France, Brazil, and expanding to additional markets
Content Requirements
Each Series must contain at least 3 videos and can include up to 80 videos. Videos in a Series can be up to 20 minutes long, significantly longer than standard TikTok uploads. TikTok reviews Series content before publication to ensure it meets quality standards and does not duplicate freely available content on the platform.
For a deep dive into pricing strategies and content planning for Series, read our TikTok Series monetization guide.
Subscriptions Requirements
TikTok Subscriptions offer creators recurring monthly revenue from dedicated fans who pay for exclusive content, badges, and direct interaction perks.
Eligibility Criteria
- Follower count: At least 10,000 followers
- Age: 18 years or older
- Account type: Personal creator account
- Account age: At least 90 days (longer than other programs)
- Account standing: Good standing
- LIVE history: Must have gone live at least once in the past 30 days
- Location: Currently US-only, with plans to expand internationally
Subscription Pricing
Creators can set subscription tiers between $0.99 and $4.99 per month. TikTok takes approximately 30% of subscription revenue on iOS (due to App Store fees) and approximately 15-20% on Android and web. Creators who offer tiered perks including exclusive LIVE access, subscriber-only videos, and custom badges tend to retain subscribers longer.
Meeting Requirements Faster: Actionable Growth Strategies
If you do not yet qualify for your target monetization program, here are proven strategies to reach eligibility faster.
Reaching 1,000 Followers (Unlock LIVE Gifts)
Most creators reach 1,000 followers within 2-6 weeks of consistent posting. The fastest path is to post 2-3 videos per day in a focused niche, engage with comments within the first hour of posting, and participate in trending sounds and challenges. Learn more about how the TikTok algorithm determines who sees your content, and track your progress with our follower growth calculator.
Reaching 10,000 Followers (Unlock Creator Rewards, Series, Subscriptions)
The jump from 1,000 to 10,000 typically takes 2-4 months for creators who post daily and optimize for shareability. Focus on creating content that solves specific problems or provides unique entertainment value. Collaborations, stitches, and duets with larger creators can accelerate growth significantly.
Reaching 100,000 Views in 30 Days (Unlock Creator Rewards)
Even with 10,000 followers, you need consistent viewership. Aim for at least 3,000-4,000 views per video across 25-30 monthly posts. Understanding your content's viral potential can help you identify which formats are most likely to break through to the For You Page.
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Fix Them
Applications to TikTok monetization programs get rejected for several preventable reasons:
- Community guidelines strikes: Even resolved violations can delay approval. Wait 30 days after a strike is removed before reapplying.
- Business account type: The Creator Rewards Program and Series require a personal account. Switch from Business to Personal in your account settings.
- Ineligible content: Reposted, compilations, or slideshow-only content may not qualify. Ensure your recent uploads are original, on-camera content.
- Region restrictions: Some programs are limited to specific countries. Using a VPN does not bypass this requirement because TikTok verifies your location through your SIM card and account registration details.
- Incomplete profile: Ensure your profile has a bio, profile picture, and at least one published video before applying.
Track Your Monetization Readiness
Knowing exactly where you stand relative to each program's requirements is the first step toward unlocking your TikTok income potential. Our calculators help you project both your timeline to eligibility and your potential earnings once you qualify.
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For a broader overview of every monetization strategy available on TikTok, including methods that do not require any follower minimums, explore our complete TikTok monetization hub. If you are starting from scratch, our guide to earning your first $1,000 on TikTok provides a step-by-step roadmap with realistic milestones and timelines.