Creator Fund Replaced with Creator Rewards Program
New program offers up to 20x higher earnings but requires 10K followers and 100K monthly views
Key Takeaway for Creators
TikTok has officially sunset the Creator Fund and launched the Creator Rewards Program with dramatically higher payouts but significantly increased eligibility requirements. While earnings potential is 10-20x higher, the barrier to entry has raised substantially, focusing rewards on established creators producing longer-form content.
Creator Fund vs. Creator Rewards: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Creator Fund (OLD) | Creator Rewards (NEW) |
|---|---|---|
| Follower Requirement | 1,000 followers | 10,000 followers |
| View Requirement | 10,000 views (30 days) | 100,000 views (30 days) |
| Video Length | Any length | 1 minute+ only |
| Earnings Per 1K Views | $0.02 - $0.04 | $0.40 - $1.00 |
| Status | Discontinued | Active |
New Eligibility Requirements
10,000 Followers
You must have at least 10,000 followers on your TikTok account. This is a 10x increase from the Creator Fund's 1,000 follower requirement.
100,000 Monthly Views
Your qualified videos (1 minute+) must generate at least 100,000 views in the last 30 days. This resets monthly and only counts eligible content.
Videos Must Be 1 Minute or Longer
Only videos longer than 60 seconds qualify for Creator Rewards earnings. Short-form content (under 1 minute) does not generate revenue through this program.
Regional Availability
Must be 18+ and located in an eligible country (US, UK, Germany, France, and select other regions).
Why TikTok Made This Change
TikTok's shift from Creator Fund to Creator Rewards reflects the platform's strategic pivot toward longer-form content and higher-quality creators. The company aims to:
- Compete with YouTube for mid-form content (1-10 minutes)
- Increase average watch time and platform engagement
- Focus monetization on established creators rather than micro-creators
- Improve earnings for serious, professional content creators
- Reduce fraudulent accounts exploiting low Creator Fund thresholds
What Happens to Creator Fund Members?
Creators currently enrolled in the Creator Fund received notifications about the transition:
- Automatic Opt-Out: The Creator Fund was automatically discontinued
- Opt-In Required: You must manually apply for Creator Rewards if eligible
- Pending Payments: All Creator Fund earnings were paid out before shutdown
- Grace Period: Small creators given time to grow to new thresholds
How to Qualify for Creator Rewards
- 1
Grow to 10,000 Followers
Focus on consistent, niche content. Use trending sounds, collaborate, and engage with your community
- 2
Create 1+ Minute Videos
Shift your strategy to produce engaging content over 60 seconds. Focus on retention and storytelling
- 3
Hit 100K Monthly Views
Post consistently (3-5x/week) and optimize for the algorithm changes favoring retention
- 4
Apply Through Creator Portal
Once eligible, apply via Settings → Creator Tools → Creator Rewards Program
Calculate Your Creator Rewards Potential
Detailed Earnings Comparison
Real-World Earnings Examples
Here's how the same performance translates to earnings under each program:
Scenario 1: 500,000 Monthly Views
Old Creator Fund:
- • RPM: $0.02-0.04
- • Monthly earnings: $10-20
- • Annual: $120-240
New Creator Rewards:
- • RPM: $0.40-1.00
- • Monthly earnings: $200-500
- • Annual: $2,400-6,000
Increase: 10-25x higher earnings
Scenario 2: 2,000,000 Monthly Views
Old Creator Fund:
- • RPM: $0.02-0.04
- • Monthly earnings: $40-80
- • Annual: $480-960
New Creator Rewards:
- • RPM: $0.40-1.00
- • Monthly earnings: $800-2,000
- • Annual: $9,600-24,000
Increase: 20x higher earnings
Who Benefits Most from Creator Rewards
Winners:
- • Established creators with 10K+ followers
- • Educational content creators (naturally longer videos)
- • Storytellers and vloggers
- • Tutorial and how-to creators
- • Creators who already make 1+ minute content
Challenges For:
- • New creators under 10K followers
- • Short-form specialists (15-30s content)
- • Comedy/entertainment creators (harder to extend)
- • Trend-focused accounts
- • Creators in low-view niches
Transition Strategy for Current Creators
If You're Under 10K Followers
Short-term Focus (Next 3-6 months)
- • Prioritize follower growth over immediate monetization
- • Post consistently (1-3 times daily)
- • Engage heavily with comments to build community
- • Collaborate with other creators for cross-promotion
- • Use trending sounds and participate in viral challenges
Alternative Monetization
- • TikTok Shop affiliate (lower follower requirements)
- • LIVE gifts (can start at 1K followers)
- • Build email list for future product sales
- • Focus on Instagram Reels (Reels bonus program)
If You're Above 10K Followers
Content Strategy Shift
- • Gradually increase video length to 1-3 minutes
- • Maintain 70%+ retention rate on longer content
- • Test different formats to find what works
- • Keep some short-form content for discovery and growth
Application Process
- • Ensure you meet all requirements consistently
- • Apply through Creator Tools in settings
- • Wait 7-14 days for approval
- • Start earning immediately upon approval
Industry Impact and Creator Response
Creator Community Reactions
Positive Responses
- • Established creators celebrate 10-20x earnings increase
- • Educational creators appreciate focus on longer content
- • Professional creators see this as validation of quality content
- • Many report monthly earnings jumping from $50 to $500-1,000+
Concerns Raised
- • Smaller creators feel excluded from monetization
- • Short-form specialists struggle to adapt content
- • Higher barriers may reduce platform diversity
- • Concerns about TikTok becoming "YouTube 2.0"
Long-Term Platform Strategy
This change signals TikTok's evolution from short-form entertainment to comprehensive content platform:
Competing with YouTube
By incentivizing 1-10 minute content, TikTok directly challenges YouTube's dominance in mid-form video
Increased Watch Time
Longer videos mean more ad inventory and higher platform engagement metrics for advertisers
Quality Over Quantity
Focusing rewards on established creators encourages higher production values and professionalism
Official Sources & Further Reading
- TikTok Monetization Requirements Guide →
TikTok Creator Portal: Official documentation on Creator Rewards Program eligibility and payout structures.
TikTok Newsroom: Official announcements about the transition from Creator Fund to Creator Rewards.