How to Apply for Facebook Monetization

Ready to turn your Facebook content into a source of income? Applying for monetization is a huge step for any creator, but the path isn't always clear. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know, from the eligibility rules Meta puts in place to the step-by-step process of setting up your payment accounts and submitting your application for review.

We'll walk through the different ways you can earn money on Facebook, the specific follower and view-time requirements for each, and the best practices to help you get approved and stay monetized for the long haul.

Understanding Your Facebook Monetization Options

Before you apply, it's helpful to know the different ways you can earn money on Facebook. Monetization isn't a one-size-fits-all program, it's a suite of tools designed for different types of content and creators. Having a goal in mind helps you focus your content strategy on meeting the right requirements.

Here are the primary monetization tools available to creators:

• In-Stream Ads for On-Demand Videos: These are the classic pre-roll, mid-roll, or post-roll ads that play in your regular video uploads. This is ideal for creators who produce longer-form, evergreen content.
• In-Stream Ads for Live: Similar to on-demand ads, these are ads that can appear before or during your live broadcasts. This is a powerful tool for creators with highly engaged live audiences.
• Stars: This feature allows your followers to buy and send you virtual goods called "Stars" during your livestreams, Reels, and on-demand videos. Each Star you receive is worth a small amount of money, making it a direct way for fans to support you. It's essentially Facebook's version of a tip jar.
• Fan Subscriptions: Think of this as a Patreon-style membership program built directly into Facebook. Supporters pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive content, a special badge, and other perks you decide to offer. It's perfect for creators with a loyal, dedicated community.
• Branded Content: This isn't direct monetization from Facebook but rather a tool to help you disclose paid partnerships with brands. Using Meta's Brand Collabs Manager, you can connect with brands looking for creators to promote their products or services.
• Performance Bonus Program: This is an invite-only program that rewards high-performing creators for engagement on their content across Pages and professional mode profiles. There's no application process, Meta invites eligible creators based on the reach and engagement of their public posts.

Are You Eligible? Checking the Boxes for Monetization

Getting approved for Facebook monetization involves meeting two main sets of criteria: the general policies that apply to everyone and the specific requirements for each individual tool. You must meet both to successfully monetize.

The Foundation: Partner Monetization Policies (PMPs)

Think of the Partner Monetization Policies as the core rules of the road. No matter which tool you want to use, you must follow these guidelines. Violating them can result in your application being rejected or your approved Page being demonetized. The key rules are:

• Create Content on an Eligible Surface: You must be posting on a Facebook Page, profile in professional mode, Event, or Group.
• Live in an Eligible Country: Monetization features are not available worldwide. You must reside in a country that Meta has approved for monetization.
• Follow Community Standards: This one is non-negotiable. Your content cannot contain hate speech, incitement to violence, graphic content, or anything else that violates Facebook's core safety rules.
• Follow Content Monetization Policies (CMPs): These are more specific rules about the type of content that can have ads on it. For example, content depicting tragedy, controversial social issues, or dangerous activities may have its monetization restricted or turned off.
• Share Authentic Content: Facebook wants to see original, authentic work. Misleading information, clickbait, and false news are strictly prohibited and can get you demonetized instantly.
• Monetize Authentic Engagement: You cannot pay for followers, views, or engagement to artificially boost your metrics and meet eligibility requirements. It all has to be grown organically.

Specific Requirements for Each Monetization Tool

Once you're compliant with the basic policies, you need to meet the specific follower and engagement metrics for the tool you want to use. These numbers are tracked automatically by Facebook.

Requirements for In-Stream Ads for On-Demand Videos:

• You must have at least 10,000 followers on your Page or profile.
• You must have generated at least 600,000 total minutes viewed in the last 60 days. This can come from any combination of on-demand videos, live videos, and previously live videos.
• You must have at least 5 active video uploads on your Page.
• You must be at least 18 years old.

This is typically the goal creators aim for. Getting to 600,000 minutes watched can seem daunting, but a few videos that resonate with your audience can get you there faster than you think.

Requirements for Live Video In-Stream Ads:

• Same basics: minimum 10,000 followers.
• A minimum of 600,000 minutes viewed from any video source in the last 60 days.
• Out of those 600,000 minutes, at least 60,000 minutes must have come from Live videos.
• Your page must have at least 5 active videos published, with at least 3 of those being previously live videos within the last 90 days.

Requirements for Fan Subscriptions:

• Meet one of these two requirements: 10,000 followers OR 250+ returning weekly viewers on your Page.
• And meet one of these engagement metrics in the last 60 days: 50,000 total post engagements OR 180,000 minutes of watch time across all your videos.

Requirements for Stars:

• You need 1,000 followers for at least 60 consecutive days.
• You must be in a country where Stars is available.
• You still must comply with the wider Partner and Content Monetization Policies.

Stars has the lowest barrier to entry, making it an excellent first monetization goal for creators.

How to Check Your Eligibility (The Easy Way)

You don't have to track all these stats manually. Meta makes it very easy to see where your Page or profile stands at one glance.

1. Open up Meta's Business Suite and select the Page or professional account you want to check.
2. Navigate down to the "Monetization" tab located on the left-side menu.
3. Once you click into that section, Meta displays your status for every money-making feature. You will see one of three status signals for each feature:
   • Green: This means you're eligible and ready to start your application.
   • Yellow: This indicates your Page is at risk. You may be very close to meeting the requirements, or your Page has a violation that is affecting its eligibility. Check your recent notifications from Meta, as they may explain the issue and what you need to do to fix it.
   • Red: This means you are not yet eligible. The page hasn't met one or more of the requirements needed for approval. When you click on it, the platform breaks down your stats for each metric (like followers or minutes viewed), making it easy to see what you need to focus on.

Your Application - Step by Step

1. Select a feature to monetize

Once the status for a given tool turns green, a "Set Up" or "Apply" button will appear next to it.

2. Start With Setup

Clicking the button will kick-start the process where you will need to agree to the terms and provide information about yourself.

1. Enter your payment information. You will be required to fill in your:
   • Legal Name & Address: This must match your official, government-issued IDs and tax documents.
   • Business Information: Select a business type, such as sole proprietor, LLC, etc. If you are a creator without a formally registered business, you can select the sole proprietor option.
   • Bank Information: You will need to provide the bank account details where you want to receive payments. Ensure this information is completely accurate, as any mistakes can cause payment delays.
2. Submit Your Request for Review. Once all this information has been submitted, your page will be forwarded for a final review. The team at Meta will manually assess your content, Page, and profile to ensure they comply with partner and content policies.

Waiting for Approval

Approval times can vary. Some creators hear back within a few days, while others may wait for several weeks. While you are waiting, continue to create quality, authentic content that your audience enjoys.

You can check your application status by returning to the Monetization section in Business Suite.

Best Practices for Getting Approved & Staying Monetized

Getting initial approval is great, but the real goal is to stay monetized and avoid strikes against your Page that could put everything at risk.

• Create original, high-quality content. Avoid simply reposting memes or compilations from other creators unless they are part of a heavily edited, transformative work.
• Build an engaged community. High levels of genuine engagement show Meta that your page is valuable to your audience.
• Be consistent. Posting regularly keeps your Page active and keeps you top-of-mind with your audience.
• Know the rules. Frequently review the Partner and Content Monetization policies. Many creators lose their eligibility over simple mistakes, like using unlicensed copyrighted music or creating static videos with limited original content.

Final Thoughts

Securing your spot on the Meta monetization program hinges on meeting all those policies and requirements, submitting all your tax and bank account details through Business Suite, and patiently waiting for approval. It is an achievable goal for anyone committing themselves to creating good content which brings your community together.

The journey of monetization depends on how consistently you are able to create engaging content and grow your audience. We have found having a smart and simplistic system while you plan and schedule all your content is a huge help. And that is why we built Postbase to streamline all of that. While scheduling and planning high-quality video posts and more through a single and beautiful visual calendar, you are able to spend more time connecting with those who matter the most instead of all the chaotic tab juggling.