TikTok’s monetization shifts is a topic we are too familiar with. But between revamped rewards, episodic content paywalls, and ad-sharing pushes, TikTok is revamping how and where creators get paid.
Let’s see what’s happening now.
1. Creator Rewards Program
After listening to all the creators' feedback, TikTok has phased out the outdated Creator Fund system in key markets (e.g. US. UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil) and replaced it with a new and improved Creator Rewards Program.
What does it mean for creators?
First of all, if your TikTok videos are over one minute, you can already try to apply for the program and can earn $0.40–$1.00 (instead of $0.02–$0.04 rates under the old system).
Signing up for the program gives you other benefits as well (access to enhanced dashboard, collecting additional rewards and so much more).
To join the Creator Rewards Program, you and your channel must meet several other requirements:
- Content: must be original, over a minute, should have at least 1,000 views on the FYP, can’t be duet/stitch/made using photo mode, can’t be an ad or a paid promotion.
- Channel: must adhere to the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, must have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, must be a personal account.
- You: need to be at least 18 years old to participate and be in one of the countries this feature is available in.
If all the requirements are met, you can apply to participate in the program and reap the rewards.
Additional Rewards
If you’re a part of the Creator Rewards Program, you can qualify for collecting Additional Rewards for going an extra mile in your video creation process. If your engagement is high, your videos are well-made and you make specialized content, you qualify!
2. TikTok Series
With TikTok Series, creators can bundle episodes and ask fans to subscribe for access. Similar to the Creator’s Rewards Program, you must be eligible to create a Series. You must meet these requirements:
- Have at least 10,000 subscribers.
- Be 18 or older.
- Have a public personal account that’s older than 30 days (business accounts are eligible, but only in select regions).
- Your account must reach 1,000 views or more in the last 30 days and have at least 3 public posts within the same time frame.
- Adhere to all the rules and regulations.
- Provide a link to any premium content you’ve sold (not all creators will be required to provide this information).
You can post up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long (you can include a free intro video). These videos must first go through Safety and Music reviews, but once they pass the checks, your audience will be able to buy access to these special videos.
That way, eligible creators can turn serialized content (educational how-tos, mini-docs, niche expertise) into a stream of revenue.
3. Livestream Incentives & Virtual Gifts
Another staple bread and butter of TikTok creators is livestreaming. The requirements are similar to the ones you have to meet to gain access to previous features, but more on that on the official TikTok page.
During livestreams, you gain access to virtual gifts and special emoji-based tokens viewers can buy and send to you during live sessions. Many creators use it to their advantage and livestream almost every single day.
4. Affiliate‑Style Commerce & TikTok Shop
In 2025, affiliate commissions via TikTok Shop remain one of the most accessible ways to monetize for creators of any size. Commence can be scaled with quality content and audience trust.
The trick is to make the content non-spammy.
5. Want to Earn More?
Repurpose. Why stop at TikTok? Don't know if you know, but YouTube has done more for Shorts than anything.
Just look at what’s happening:
- YouTube Shorts now pull in 200 billion views daily
- 2 billion monthly Shorts viewers
- Brands are betting big on Shorts for sponsorships and product placements
- For many creators, Shorts generate over 80% of total channel views
- Veo 3 AI tools are coming this summer. Create Shorts with just a prompt
- Shopping Stickers are rolling out globally after boosting product clicks by 40% in US tests
- Just like TikTok, you can use YouTube Shorts to promote affiliate offers and generate income.
- Vertical livestreams are now live. They give you more ways to earn, like Combo Gifts, Super Chats, Super Stickers, Super Thanks.
- Dream Screen powered by DeepMind V2 will let you create 6-second AI-powered Shorts
- Shorts are now up to 3 minutes long.
- Auto-dubbing for Shorts now supports 30+ languages
- Quiz Stickers are here. They boost retention with interactive Shorts and track viewer responses
- There are even tools like Repurpose.io, that are giving you 3 months free to turn your clips into YouTube Shorts.
This all says it: If you’re already making content for TikTok, you should absolutely try it on YouTube.
And you don’t need to figure YouTube out alone. We’ve helped thousands of creators grow faster, earn more, and expand globally.
AIR helps with everything on YouTube, from optimization and monetization to global scaling and translations. Just text us.
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