How to Apply for the Creator Fund

Turning your creative passion into a real paycheck is possible, and tapping into a platform's Creator Fund can be a huge first step toward that goal. This guide lays out exactly how to apply for the TikTok Creator Fund, explains what happened to other programs like YouTube's and Meta's, and provides actionable strategies to meet the tough eligibility requirements.

What Are Creator Funds, Anyway?

Creator funds are pools of money that social media platforms set aside to pay creators directly for the content they produce. Think of it as an incentive program. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and others want to keep the best creators - and their audiences - on their app. By offering direct payments for popular content, they encourage you to post consistently and innovatively, which keeps users scrolling and engaged.

However, the world of creator funds is always in motion. We've seen them launch with a lot of fanfare, change their rules, or get replaced by other monetization models entirely. The key is understanding how the current programs work and focusing on the core principles required to qualify for any of them: building an authentic audience and creating content people love.

The Big One: How to Apply for the TikTok Creator Fund

When most people talk about "The Creator Fund," they're thinking of TikTok's program. It was one of the first and most widely known funds to directly pay a broad base of creators for their views. The application is simple, but getting to the point where you *can* apply takes dedication. Here's how to do it, step-by-step.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility - The Hard Rules

Before you even think about applying, you need to make sure you meet TikTok’s strict criteria. These are not flexible, so you need to hit every single one.

• Location: You must be based in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, or Italy.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old. TikTok will ask you to verify your age, so be prepared.
• Follower Count: You need a minimum of 10,000 authentic followers. The word "authentic" is important, followers gained through follow-for-follow schemes or buying services won't necessarily help and could get your account permanently banned.
• View Count: This is often the toughest hurdle. You must have accumulated at least 100,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days. This isn't your total view count, it's a rolling 30-day window. This means you need sustained performance, not just one viral video from two months ago.
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing and adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. Any recent violations or strikes can make you ineligible.

Step 2: Switch to a Creator or Business Account

You can't apply for the Creator Fund from a personal account. You need to switch to either a Creator or Business account, which unlocks the necessary analytics and monetization tools. If you haven't done this already, it’s easy:

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open Settings and privacy.
2. Tap on Account.
3. Select Switch to Business Account or find the option for a Creator Account (TikTok sometimes groups these or changes the naming, but both work).
4. Follow the prompts to select a category for your account.

This switch is free and gives you access to important data about your audience demographics and video performance - information you should be using to grow your account anyway.

Step 3: The Actual Application Process

Once you meet all the eligibility requirements and have a non-personal account, the application itself is quite straightforward.

1. Open your Settings and privacy menu again.
2. Tap on Creator Tools.
3. Under the Monetization section, you should see an option for the TikTok Creator Fund. Tap it.
4. If you meet all the follower and view count criteria, the platform will show you that you're eligible and display an "Apply" button. The button will be grayed out if you don't yet qualify.
5. You'll be asked to confirm you are over 18, provide your country of residence, and agree to the Creator Fund Agreement.

After you submit, your application goes into review. This can take a few days. You'll receive a notification in the app once a decision has been made. If you're accepted, you’ll get access to the Creator Fund dashboard where you can see your estimated earnings and manage your payment information.

What if I Get Rejected?

Don't panic! A rejection isn't permanent. Usually, it's because you failed to meet one of the requirements during the review period (for example, your 30-day view count dipped below 100,000). You can re-apply 30 days after receiving the rejection notification.

Use that month wisely. Review your account and analyze your performance. Figure out which videos are resonating and double down on that style. Re-read the Community Guidelines to ensure none of your content is borderline problematic. Focus on creating your best work so that when you re-apply, your eligibility is beyond doubt.

Beyond the Application: How to Actually Meet the Requirements

Knowing how to apply is simple. The real challenge is getting those 10,000 followers and 100,000 monthly views. This is where your content strategy comes in. Raw talent is great, but consistency and smart work will get you across the finish line.

Nailing the Follower and View Counts

• Find Your Niche: You've heard it a thousand times for a reason. An account about "your life" is too broad. An account about "van life as a software developer in the Pacific Northwest" is a niche. A focused niche attracts followers who are genuinely interested in all your content, not just one random viral video. This is how you build a community that sticks around.
• Post Consistently: The algorithm rewards consistency. You don't need to post five times a day, but you do need to create a sustainable schedule. One high-quality video daily is far more effective than three rushed, low-effort videos. Consistency signals to the platform that you're a serious creator worth promoting.
• Use Trends Strategically: Don't just copy a trending dance. Adapt a trending audio or format to your niche. If a popular sound is about a funny relationship moment, how can you apply it to your niche of dog training or rare plant collecting? This makes the trend feel authentic to your account and exposes you to a wider audience without alienating your core followers.
• Master the First Three Seconds: The hook is everything. Your video's first few seconds must grab attention and tell the viewer why they should stick around. Start with a bold statement, a surprising visual, or a question your audience in your niche is dying to have answered.
• Engage with Your Community: Your comment section is a goldmine. Reply to comments with thoughtful answers, not just emojis. Use the "video reply to a comment" feature to turn great questions into new content. When your followers feel seen, they become advocates who share your content and engage more frequently.

Staying on the Right Side of the Guidelines

All your hard work is for nothing if your account gets flagged. The Creator Fund is only for creators who play by the rules. Take 30 minutes to actually read TikTok’s Community Guidelines. Pay special attention to rules around copyrighted music (use sounds from TikTok's library if you are a Business Account), hateful content, dangerous acts, and content that isn't original to you. One violation can delay your eligibility, and multiple violations can get your account removed entirely.

What About Other Creator Funds? The Shifting Landscape

While TikTok’s program is still active, the broader "creator fund" landscape has evolved significantly. Many top platforms have moved away from funds toward different monetization models. Understanding this shift helps you set realistic expectations for earning money on other apps.

The YouTube Shorts Fund: Replaced by Ad Revenue Sharing

The YouTube Shorts Fund was a $100 million program that paid creators for top-performing Shorts. However, YouTube ended the fund in early 2023 and replaced it with a more sustainable model: ad revenue sharing. This is a major development.

Instead of receiving a "bonus" from a fixed pool of money, eligible creators now get a direct share of the advertising revenue generated from views on their Shorts. To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) with Shorts, you now need:

• 1,000 subscribers
• 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days

This model is generally better for creators long-term, as your earnings are tied directly to your performance, not a limited fund.

Meta's Bonus Programs (Instagram & Facebook): Paused

Meta's ambitious Reels Play bonus program, which paid high-performing creators on Instagram and Facebook, has been paused. A company spokesperson confirmed that they are pausing new bonus deals and shifting focus to other monetization tools.

While direct bonuses are on hold, you can still monetize on Instagram and Facebook through options like Ads on Reels, Brand Collaborations, Subscriptions, and Stars. The overall industry trend is clear: platforms are shifting from unpredictable, temporary bonus funds to more mature, long-term revenue-sharing models that incorporate advertisements and direct fan support.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to apply for the Creator Fund is straightforward, but meeting the follower and view requirements is the real challenge. Focus on finding your niche, posting a consistently high-quality video, and building an authentic community. By emphasizing these fundamentals, you'll become eligible for platform funds and set yourself on a path for long-term success as a creator.

Consistently creating content to meet ambitious follower and view counts can be challenging. It requires solid planning and disciplined execution. We designed Postbase to streamline this process. Our visual calendar helps you plan your video strategy across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts so you never have gaps in your schedule. Best of all, you can upload your content once, schedule it reliably, and trust that it will post on time - giving you more headspace to focus on creating content your audience will love.