Only Videos Over 1 Minute Now Eligible for Monetization
Creator Rewards Program exclusively rewards longer-form content
Key Takeaway for Creators
TikTok has fundamentally shifted its monetization strategy by only paying for videos longer than 60 seconds. Short-form content under 1 minute no longer generates Creator Rewards earnings. This pushes creators to adapt their content strategy toward mid-form videos (1-10 minutes), competing directly with YouTube.
The 60-Second Threshold
❌ What DOESN'T Qualify
- Videos 59 seconds or shorter
- 15-second trending sounds/dances
- Quick reaction videos
- Short comedy skits under 1 minute
- Traditional "TikTok-style" short clips
✅ What DOES Qualify
- Videos exactly 1:00 or longer (60+ seconds)
- Tutorials and how-to guides (typically 1-5 minutes)
- Storytelling and narrative content
- Educational explainers
- Extended product reviews and unboxings
- Multi-part series episodes
Why TikTok Made This Change
🎯 Compete with YouTube
TikTok wants to capture the lucrative mid-form content market dominated by YouTube. By incentivizing 1-10 minute videos, TikTok aims to keep users on the platform longer.
⏱️ Increase Watch Time
Longer videos = more ad inventory and higher user engagement metrics. This makes TikTok more valuable to advertisers.
📊 Reward Quality Over Quantity
The old system incentivized posting volume. The new system rewards creators who can hold attention for extended periods.
How to Adapt Your Content Strategy
Strategy 1: Extend Existing Content
Take your most popular short-form concepts and expand them:
- Turn a 30-second recipe into a 2-minute detailed tutorial
- Expand quick tips into step-by-step guides
- Add behind-the-scenes, process, or explanation segments
Strategy 2: Storytelling & Narrative
Use longer formats for story-based content:
- Day-in-the-life vlogs with narrative arcs
- Before-and-after transformation stories
- Challenge or experiment documentation
Strategy 3: Educational Deep Dives
Provide value through comprehensive education:
- Industry insights and analysis
- Detailed product comparisons
- Skill-building tutorials with multiple steps
Balancing Short-Form and Long-Form Content
You don't have to abandon short-form content entirely:
Short-Form (Under 1 min)
Purpose: Viral reach, discovery, follower growth
Monetization: Indirect (drive followers to longer content)
Long-Form (1+ min)
Purpose: Direct monetization, deeper engagement
Monetization: Creator Rewards earnings