TikTok Creator Fund: Eligibility, Payouts & How to Apply

The TikTok Creator Fund was launched in 2020 with a $200 million initial investment. It aims to grow to over $1 billion within three years. Its primary goal is to reward creators for their engaging content.

In 2027, TikTok will become a powerful platform for creators to earn commissions through affiliate marketing. This guide will walk you through setting up and optimizing your business from scratch.

However, in December 2023, TikTok discontinued the Creator Fund in several countries, including the US, UK, Germany, and France, replacing it with the Creator Rewards program. Despite this change, the Fund remains available in Spain and Italy.

As we navigate the evolving landscape of creator monetization on the platform, understanding the current state of the Creator Fund is crucial. We’ll explore eligibility, application processes, and expected payouts to help you maximize your earning potential.

• Eligibility criteria for the TikTok Creator Fund in 2025
• Regions where the Creator Fund is still available
• Details on the Creator Rewards program
• Application process for the Creator Fund
• Expected payouts for creators
• Alternative monetization strategies on TikTok

Launched in 2020, the TikTok Creator Fund was the platform’s first significant step towards directly compensating creators. The fund was established with an initial investment of $200 million, with plans to grow to $1 billion over three years. This move underscored TikTok’s commitment to supporting its vast community of creators.

The TikTok Creator Fund emerged as a pioneering effort to reward creators for their content. Initially, it was positioned as a means for creators to monetize their passion. Over time, the reality of the payment amounts led to a reevaluation of the program’s language and structure. The fund primarily rewards creators based on the performance of their content, measured mainly by view counts.

• The Creator Fund was a significant step in TikTok’s journey to compensate creators directly.
• It was launched with $200 million and aimed to grow to $1 billion.
• The fund’s design focuses on high-performing original content.

As of 2025, the TikTok Creator Fund has undergone significant changes. In several major markets, including the US, UK, Germany, and France, the Creator Fund has been replaced by the Creator Rewards Program. However, it remains available in Spain and Italy. This shift reflects TikTok’s evolving understanding of creator needs and its efforts to compete with other social media platforms offering more lucrative compensation models.

By understanding these developments, creators can better navigate the current landscape of monetization on TikTok.

Eligibility for the TikTok Creator Fund is determined by several key factors that ensure creators are actively engaged and compliant with TikTok’s guidelines.

To be eligible, creators must be at least 18 years old and be based in countries where the fund is available, such as Spain and Italy. This age requirement is strict due to legal and payment processing necessities.

Creators need at least 10,000 followers and have garnered 100,000 views in the last 30 days before their application. This ensures that only active and popular creators are considered.

Creators must comply with TikTok’s community guidelines and maintain good standing. Content must be original and not repurposed from other platforms. Violations can risk an account’s eligibility.

As TikTok emphasizes, “creators must adhere to our community guidelines and terms of service.” This underscores the importance of maintaining a compliant and active presence on the platform.

To join the TikTok Creator Fund, you must follow a straightforward application process within the TikTok app. First, ensure you have a Pro account, a prerequisite for applying.

To apply, start by switching to a Pro account if you haven’t already. Go to “Manage Account” under Settings, then select “Switch to Pro Account.” Next, log into the app, navigate to Account Settings, and click “Creator Tools.” From there, you’ll find the “TikTok Creator Fund” option to submit your application. Meeting all eligibility requirements before applying is crucial to avoid unnecessary delays or rejections.

When applying, be aware of common pitfalls. Ensure you’re using the latest version of the TikTok app and apply from the mobile app, not the web. Also, complete all required fields in the application form to avoid errors. After submission, TikTok typically reviews applications within 2-3 business days, verifying eligibility and content compliance. If rejected, you can reapply after 30 days, giving you time to address any issues.

Understanding how the TikTok Creator Fund pays its creators is crucial for maximizing earnings. The payout system is based on video performance, considering various factors such as the number of views, authenticity of views, and content engagement rate.

The TikTok Creator Fund payment system operates differently from traditional revenue-sharing programs. TikTok describes performance as “dynamic” based on a “variety of factors” that can change over time. The primary metrics used to calculate payouts are the number of views, authenticity of those views (TikTok filters out bot views), and the content’s engagement rate (likes, comments, shares).

Reports indicate that creators can expect to earn anywhere from a few cents to about $8 per 1,000 views. However, most creators report earnings closer to $0.03-$0.04 per 1,000 views. For instance, a video with 1 million views might earn between $30 and $40. To illustrate this, consider the following table that breaks down potential earnings based on views:

TikTok has implemented a minimum payment threshold of $10, meaning creators cannot withdraw their earnings until they’ve accumulated at least this amount. The payment calculation period runs monthly, with funds being calculated within 30 days after the end of each monthly reporting period, and then becoming available for withdrawal. To withdraw funds, creators must link a valid payment method to their TikTok account through the Creator Fund dashboard.

TikTok has launched the Creator Rewards Program as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance creator monetization. This new initiative represents a significant shift in how creators can earn money on the platform, addressing some of the criticisms of the original Creator Fund.

The most notable difference between the two programs is the payment structure. Creator Rewards offers substantially higher payouts, with creators potentially earning between $0.50 and $1.00 per 1,000 views, compared to the Creator Fund’s $0.03-$0.04. Additionally, Creator Rewards specifically incentivizes longer-form content, requiring videos to be over one minute in length.

The eligibility requirements for both programs remain largely the same, with creators needing at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. However, the new program emphasizes high-quality, original content and engagement metrics.

For creators in regions where the transition has occurred (the US, the UK, Germany, and France), joining Creator Rewards involves a straightforward application process. Creators must go to their profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select “Creator rewards,” read and agree to the terms, and click “Apply.”

It’s worth noting that creators previously part of the Creator Fund in transition regions were not automatically enrolled in Creator Rewards and needed to apply separately. This change allows creators to opt into the new program, potentially increasing their earnings through higher-quality, longer-form content.

As we explore the TikTok Creator Fund, we must weigh its advantages and disadvantages for content creators. The Fund has been a significant topic of discussion among TikTok creators, with some appreciating its benefits while others criticize its limitations.

The TikTok Creator Fund offers several benefits for content creators. One of the most significant advantages is the opportunity to earn money for content they would likely create anyway. Unlike sponsored content, which often sees reduced engagement due to being perceived as advertisements, Creator Fund earnings don’t require creators to change their content style or add promotional elements that might alienate their audience.

• Earn money for organic content
• No need to alter content style
• Passive income stream alongside other monetization methods

As a TikTok creator and influencer marketing expert, J M once said, “The Creator Fund is a great way to monetize your content without compromising your creative freedom.” Many creators value the flexibility and autonomy the Fund provides.

However, the Creator Fund’s limitations are significant. The most commonly cited drawback is the extremely low payment rates compared to other monetization methods on TikTok and competing platforms. For instance, a viral video with 21 million views earned only $340.33 through the Creator Fund, while the same creator could earn thousands for a sponsored post with far fewer views.

The inconsistent nature of Creator Fund earnings makes financial planning difficult, as payment formulas are opaque and subject to change without notice. Many creators report that joining the Fund doesn’t provide additional exposure or algorithmic benefits, meaning it won’t help grow their account or increase their visibility on the platform.

As TikTok continues to evolve, creators are exploring diverse methods to monetize their content beyond the Creator Fund. The platform offers a variety of opportunities for creators to earn money, making it an exciting space for content monetization.

Brand partnerships represent a lucrative alternative, with micro-influencers (10,000-100,000 followers) potentially earning $200-$800 per sponsored post. Creators with over a million followers can command $5,000+ per collaboration. Effective brand partnerships require a strategic approach to content creation and audience engagement.

The TikTok Creator Marketplace connects brands with creators, facilitating collaborations and eliminating the need for third-party agencies. This platform allows for more direct negotiations based on niche and audience demographics, making it a valuable resource for creators.

Affiliate marketing has become increasingly popular on TikTok. Creators earn commissions by promoting products they love through unique discount codes or trackable links. This method allows creators to monetize their content without explicit sponsorships.

TikTok Shopping enables creators to tag products directly in their videos, creating seamless shopping experiences and generating purchase commissions. Merchandise sales through integrations with platforms like Teespring also allow creators to design and sell branded products directly to their audience.

As a TikTok creator, maximizing your earnings through the Creator Fund involves more than just posting content – it requires a strategic approach. You must create high-quality, engaging content that drives higher view counts to get the most out of the TikTok Fund.

Creating content that aligns with current TikTok trends can significantly boost your view counts. Using popular sounds, participating in challenges, and producing content that resonates with your audience are effective strategies. Focusing on the first 3-5 seconds of your videos to capture viewer attention is also crucial, as higher watch-time and completion rates influence algorithmic distribution and Creator Fund payouts.

A consistent posting schedule helps train the algorithm to recognize when your audience expects new content. Posting 1-3 times daily yields optimal results without causing content fatigue. Analyzing your TikTok analytics is essential to understand when your audience is most active, allowing you to time your posts for maximum engagement and higher Creator Fund earnings.

In 2025, the TikTok Creator Fund’s worth will depend on several factors, including geographical location and content style. While it remains available in Spain and Italy, creators elsewhere have transitioned to the Creator Rewards Program. The Fund provides a passive income stream for eligible creators without requiring content style changes. However, those seeking substantial income should consider diversifying their monetization strategies. Ultimately, joining the Creator Fund should align with your content goals and long-term vision for your TikTok presence.