In July 2020, TikTok launched the Creator Fund, which intended to distribute $2 billion over three years to creators who produced viral content on the platform.
However, many creators found the payouts disappointingly low, sometimes only earning a few dollars, even for videos with millions of views.
This made it difficult for creators to rely on the program as a sustainable source of income.
TikTok announced it would discontinue the Creator Fund in December 2023, impacting creators primarily in the United States, UK, Germany, and France.
As an alternative, TikTok introduced the Creativity Program in February 2024 to offer more substantial earnings.
At the launch, TikTok said creators can “earn up to 20 times the amount previously offered by the Creator Fund.”
The Creativity Program was in beta, and so it was called Creativity Program Beta.
In March 2024, TikTok said in a blog post, “Today, we’re excited to share that the Creativity Program is out of beta.
As we officially introduce Creator Rewards Program,” which is the monetization program we will be discussing today.
Below, you’ll learn everything you need to know about TikTok Creator Rewards Program (formerly Creativity Program Beta), including eligibility requirements, how it works, how much it pays, and how you can join.
What Is TikTok Creator Rewards Program? ❓
The TikTok Creator Rewards Program is a program designed to reward TikTok content creators with payments based on specific engagement metrics for their videos.
TikTok developed the program based on creators’ feedback from the Creator Fund and refined it to reward longer-form videos over one minute.
For eligible creators, the program presents an exciting opportunity to make money with your content, which is what we preach here at SHiFTCADEMY.COM.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program Requirements 🎯
So, what are the TikTok Creativity Program requirements?
Well, not all creators are eligible for the program.
Here are the specific requirements:
- Age: Creators must be at least 18 years old.
- Follower Count: A minimum of 10,000 followers is required.
- View Count: Creators need at least 100,000 video views in the past 30 days.
- Account Type: Only personal accounts in good standing with TikTok’s Community Guidelines can apply; business accounts aren’t accepted.
- Region Availability: As it is still relatively new, the program is available in the U.S., UK, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, and Korea, with more countries likely to be added in the future.
- Video Length Requirement: Only videos over one minute are eligible.
By limiting the program to creators who actively engage large audiences, TikTok ensures that Creator Rewards is targeted at dedicated content creators producing high-quality content.
How to Join TikTok Creativity Program (TikTok Creator Rewards) 👆
If you meet the eligibility requirements, applying for the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is straightforward and simple.
Here are the steps:
- Open the TikTok App and Go to your Profile.
- Tap the Menu (☰) and select Settings.
- Go to Creator Tools and select Creator Rewards Program to apply.
- TikTok reviews applications and typically notifies creators of their status within three days.
Once approved, you’ll start earning through Creator Rewards as your videos meet the program’s criteria.
How Much Can You Earn with TikTok Creator Rewards? 🤑
Earnings through the TikTok Creator Rewards Program vary based on video performance.
With a structure that rewards deeper engagement and longer watch times, the program offers creators an opportunity to make much more than they did under the Creator Fund.
According to TikTok, creator earnings have increased by 250% from September 2023 to March 2024, and the number of creators earning $50,000 a month has almost doubled.
Though exact payouts differ, many creators are reporting a notable increase in income with Creator Rewards.
I performed a quick search on TikTok using the term “how much TikTok paid me” to see what creators were reporting.
Here’s what I found:
@ojtennison How much did the TikTok creativity program pay me for 6.7 million views? POST YOUR DRAFTS! #tiktokmoney #contentcreator #creativityprogram #creativityprogrambeta #creatorfun #financialtransparency #money
@justinescameraroll Replying to @nyiaaah K it was giving lea michele but guess what??? I know how to read now #microinfluencer #microinfluencertiktok #creativitybetaprogram #creatorfund
TikTok’s emphasis on quality engagement, rather than just view counts, means that creators can see significant earnings if they produce content that resonates with their audience.
Optimized Rewards Formula for TikTok Creator Rewards Program 🚀
How can you improve your TikTok Creator Rewards Program RPM?
Well, the program employs an optimized formula that evaluates videos based on originality, play duration, search value, and audience engagement.
This formula is structured to ensure that creators who produce quality content receive the best rewards.
Here’s what the program focuses on to reward creators:
- Originality: TikTok prioritizes unique, creator-driven content that reflects a creator’s distinct voice. The more a video reflects the creator’s personality and resonates with viewers, the more likely it is to earn rewards.
- Play Duration: TikTok rewards content that maintains strong watch times and completion rates. This metric values engaging videos that keep viewers watching.
- Audience Engagement: Likes, comments, and shares significantly impact a video’s reward potential.
- Search Value: TikTok rewards videos relevant to trending search terms. With the Creator Search Insights tool, creators can identify popular topics and align their content accordingly.
Additionally, TikTok’s rewards formula factors in a creator’s community’s ad value, calculated by their audience’s ad watch time, making the rewards model more comprehensive and growth-focused for dedicated creators.
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Conclusion: Is TikTok Creator Creativity Program Right for You?💲
The TikTok Creator Rewards program is a notable improvement over the original Creator Fund, with a high-earning potential for creators focused on long-form, engaging content.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and are committed to producing quality videos, this program could help you maximize your TikTok earnings.
One thing about TikTok is that followers don’t matter.
Even as a small creator, some of your videos can blow up and you’ll earn based on views.
Plus, gaining followers is often easier on TikTok compared to platforms like YouTube or Instagram.
The algorithm prioritizes quality content, so if your videos are engaging, they can reach a large audience and bring in substantial earnings, regardless of your follower size.
