What is a normal RPM for TikTok Creator Fund?

Normal RPM ranges from $0.02 to $0.04, with top creators earning $0.05-$0.10. Educational and finance niches typically earn higher RPMs ($0.08-$0.12) while entertainment and comedy earn lower rates ($0.01-$0.03).

Why do some creators earn $10 per million views while I earn less?

Earnings vary based on engagement rate, audience location, watch time, content niche, and video quality. Creators with US/UK audiences, high completion rates, and educational content earn significantly more per view.

Does posting more videos increase my Creator Fund earnings?

Only if the videos maintain quality and engagement. Posting low-quality content frequently can hurt your account reputation and lower overall RPM. Focus on quality over quantity for consistent earnings.

Can I increase my earnings without growing my follower count?

Yes! Focus on increasing engagement rate, watch time, and targeting higher-CPM audiences. Improving content quality and posting during peak US/UK hours can significantly boost RPM without adding followers.

Why did my earnings drop suddenly?

Sudden drops usually indicate: algorithm changes affecting reach, decreased engagement rate, audience location shift to lower-CPM countries, increased competition in your niche, or content quality decline.

Should I quit Creator Fund if earnings are low?

Consider diversifying instead. Many creators use Creator Fund as supplemental income while focusing on brand deals, TikTok Shop, LIVE gifts, and affiliate marketing for primary revenue.

Why Are My TikTok Earnings So Low?

8 main reasons your Creator Fund earnings are disappointing — and how to fix them

Updated: November 13, 2025 5 min read

The Frustrating Reality

You finally qualified for the TikTok Creator Fund. You're getting thousands or even millions of views. But when you check your earnings dashboard, the numbers are shockingly low. $10 for a million views? $2 for 100,000 views? You're not alone in this frustration.

Many creators report earning just $20-40 per million views, while seeing others claim earnings of $100+ for the same views. What's the difference? Let's break down exactly why your earnings are low and what you can do about it.

Calculate Your Current RPM

Before diagnosing the problem, understand your baseline metrics.

RPM Calculator →Creator Fund Calculator

8 Main Reasons for Low TikTok Earnings

1. Low Engagement Rate Reducing RPM

Problem: Views are high, but likes, comments, and shares are low. TikTok's algorithm pays more for engaged audiences.

Solution: Add clear CTAs in your videos. Ask questions in captions. Create controversial or debate-worthy content. End videos with hooks that encourage comments. Respond to comments within the first hour to boost visibility.

Target Engagement Rates:

10,000-50,000 followers: 8-12% engagement rate
50,000-100,000 followers: 6-10% engagement rate
100,000+ followers: 4-8% engagement rate

2. Audience in Low-CPM Countries

Problem: Most of your views come from countries with lower advertising rates. US/UK viewers pay 5-10x more than views from some regions.

Solution: Post during US peak hours (7-10 PM EST). Use English exclusively. Reference US culture, brands, and trends. Create content that resonates with Western audiences. Target topics popular in high-CPM regions.

CPM by Region (Approximate):

United States: $4-8 CPM
United Kingdom: $3-6 CPM
Canada/Australia: $2-5 CPM
Other regions: $0.50-2 CPM

3. Short Watch Time/Completion Rate

Problem: People scroll away quickly. TikTok pays more when viewers watch your entire video or watch it multiple times.

Solution: Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds. Use pattern interrupts every 3-5 seconds. Create loops that encourage replays. Keep videos between 21-34 seconds for maximum completion rate. Add cliffhangers that make people watch again.

Calculate Your Completion Rate →

4. Oversaturated Content Niche

Problem: You're in a low-paying niche. Dance, lip-sync, and general entertainment have the lowest RPMs because of oversaturation.

Solution: Pivot to or incorporate high-value niches: personal finance, business tips, tech reviews, real estate, career advice, or educational content. These topics attract higher-income viewers that advertisers pay more to reach.

Check Niche Profitability →

5. Not Diversifying Income Streams

Problem: You're relying solely on Creator Fund. Top earners make 80-90% of income from other sources.

Solution: Pursue brand partnerships (10-100x more lucrative than Creator Fund). Join TikTok Shop affiliate program. Go LIVE regularly to receive gifts. Sell digital products or courses. Add affiliate links to your content.

Brand Deal Calculator•Shop Commission•LIVE Gifts Calculator

6. Poor Content Quality/Production

Problem: Low video quality, poor audio, or unclear messaging reduces watch time and engagement.

Solution: Invest in basic equipment (good phone camera, ring light, lapel mic). Write scripts for clarity. Use trending sounds strategically. Edit tightly—cut dead air and filler words. Add captions for accessibility.

7. Inconsistent Posting Schedule

Problem: Sporadic posting confuses the algorithm and prevents audience building.

Solution: Post 1-3 times daily at consistent times. Batch create content on weekends. Use TikTok's scheduling feature. Maintain quality while increasing frequency. The algorithm rewards consistent creators.

Find Your Best Posting Times →

8. Not Meeting Algorithm Preferences

Problem: Your content doesn't trigger the signals TikTok values most: shares, saves, profile visits, and follows.

Solution: Create "save-worthy" educational content people want to reference later. Make shareable content (relatable, funny, or valuable). Add value that makes viewers visit your profile. Use series/parts to encourage follows.

Read: TikTok Algorithm Optimization Guide →

Success Story Example

Sarah, Finance Creator (@moneytipswitsh)

Before: 50,000 views/month, $15 earnings ($0.30 RPM). Content: General lifestyle and day-in-the-life videos.

Changes Made: Pivoted to personal finance tips, posted during US peak hours (9 PM EST), increased engagement with money-saving challenges, improved video quality with better lighting.

After: 200,000 views/month, $180 Creator Fund + $800 brand deals ($0.90 RPM + partnerships). Added Shop affiliate links earning $400/month.

"Switching to finance content and posting at the right times tripled my RPM. But the real money came from diversifying—brand deals now pay 10x what Creator Fund does." - Sarah