How to Check Monetization on TikTok

Curious if your TikTok account is ready to start earning you money? Checking your monetization status is a straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through exactly where to look and what to do. We'll cover how to find the monetization section in your settings and give you a clear game plan if you haven't yet met the requirements.

Understanding TikTok's Official Monetization Programs

Before you check your status, it helps to know what you’re looking for. TikTok offers several official programs for creators to earn money directly through the app. Each has its own purpose and set of requirements.

1. TikTok Creativity Program Beta

This is the successor to the original Creator Fund and is the primary way creators earn money from video views. The Creativity Program Beta is designed to reward creators for making high-quality, original content that is over one minute long. Unlike the old fund, payouts are calculated based on a more complex formula that considers qualified views and RPM (revenue per mille), which can lead to higher and more consistent earnings for engaging videos.

2. TikTok Shop for Creator

This program transforms your profile into a mini-storefront. As a creator, you can earn commissions by promoting products in your videos and LIVE streams. You can either link to products from other brands or, if you have your own products, set up your own TikTok Shop to sell them directly to your followers. It’s a powerful integration of e-commerce and content creation.

3. LIVE Gifts and Video Gifts

LIVE Gifts allow your viewers to send you virtual gifts during a live stream. These gifts are purchased with TikTok Coins and can be converted into "Diamonds," which you can then withdraw as cash. Similarly, Video Gifts let your audience send gifts directly on your regular feed videos (not just LIVEs), giving them another way to show appreciation for your content.

4. TikTok Creator Marketplace

The Creator Marketplace (TCM) is TikTok's official platform for connecting brands with creators for paid campaigns. Think of it as a talent agency run by TikTok. Brands can discover you based on your audience demographics, engagement rates, and content style, and then reach out with collaboration proposals. Being accepted is like getting a backstage pass to brand deal opportunities.

5. TikTok Series

If you create educational, instructional, or premium-value content, Series is for you. This feature allows creators to post a collection of videos behind a paywall. Your followers can purchase access to the entire series, giving you a direct way to monetize your expertise. It’s perfect for tutorials, in-depth mini-courses, or any exclusive content you want to offer.

Are You Eligible? The Monetization Checklist

Before you can join any of these programs, you have to meet certain criteria. While some requirements vary, the benchmarks for the main Creativity Program Beta are a good starting point for most aspiring creators.

Here’s a general checklist:

• Location-Based: The program must be available in your country. The Creativity Program Beta is currently open in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Japan, and Korea, with plans for expansion.
• Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Follower Count: You need a minimum of 10,000 followers.
• View Count: You need at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days.
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing, with no history of repeated Community Guideline violations. Having strikes against your account can impact your eligibility.
• Content Quality: For the Creativity Program Beta, your content needs to be original, high-quality, and over one minute long to qualify for rewards.

Always remember: Adhering to TikTok's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service is non-negotiable. Even if you meet the follower and view counts, repeated violations will prevent you from monetizing.

How to Check Your Monetization Status in the App (Step-by-Step)

Ready to see where you stand? The process is the same whether you’re checking for the first time or reviewing your existing enrollments. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Open TikTok and go to your Profile page. Tap the icon in the bottom-right corner of the main screen to navigate to your profile.
2. Tap the Menu Icon. In the top-right corner, you’ll see an icon with three horizontal lines (often called the "hamburger menu"). Tap it.
3. Select "Creator Tools". A menu will pop up from the bottom. Tap this option to go to the next screen.
4. Look for the "Monetization" Section. On the Creator Tools page, scroll down until you see the "Monetization" heading. Here, you’ll see a list of the various programs available to you.

Now, let's break down what you'll see for each program:

• Creativity Program Beta: If you tap on this, it will show you the eligibility checklist. Green checkmarks will appear next to the requirements you've met. If you've met all of them, you’ll see a button to "Apply." If you haven't, it will clearly show you what you're still missing (e.g., “6,500/10,000 followers”).
• TikTok Shop for Creator: Tapping here will also display an eligibility list (usually 5,000 followers or less, depending on the region and a few other criteria). You can apply directly from this screen if you qualify.
• Video Gifts & LIVE Gifts: These sections will show you if the feature is currently active. If you meet the qualifications (typically related to follower count and account age), you can toggle the feature on or off from this menu.

Not Meeting the Requirements? Here's Your Game Plan

If you checked your status and discovered you're not eligible yet, don't get discouraged. This is where the real work begins. Instead of obsessing over the numbers, focus on the fundamental habits that lead to sustainable growth.

1. Nail Your Niche and Content Strategy

Broad, generic content rarely stands out. You need to define who your target audience is and what value you provide them. Are you teaching a skill, making people laugh, sharing a unique hobby, or providing industry commentary? Get specific. A clear niche helps you attract a dedicated audience that will stick around for the long haul. Your content should feel consistent, so viewers know exactly what to expect when they follow you.

2. Post Consistently, Not Constantly

You don't need to post ten times a day. You do, however, need to establish a reliable posting schedule. Whether it's once a day or 3-4 times a week, consistency trains the TikTok algorithm to know when to expect new content from you, and it keeps your audience engaged. A regular cadence builds momentum much more effectively than sporadic bursts of content followed by silence.

3. Master the First Three Seconds

Viewer attention spans are shorter than ever. Your video's first three seconds are everything. You need a strong hook to stop the scroll. Start with a question, a bold statement, a visually interesting clip, or an immediate problem that your video will solve. If you can’t grab them right away, they're gone to the next video.

4. Become a Student of Your Analytics

Your TikTok analytics (found in the Creator Tools menu) are your best friend. Don't just glance at views and likes. Look deeper:

• Video Views: Which videos are getting the most traction? Look for patterns in the format, topic, or sound.
• Follower Growth: Check the "Followers" tab to see which days you gained the most followers. What did you post on those days?
• Audience Demographics: Knowing your followers' age, gender, and location helps you tailor content to be more relevant to them.

Use this data to double down on what’s working and move away from what isn't.

Beyond Official Programs: Other Ways to Make Money on TikTok

Even if you don’t qualify for TikTok's direct monetization tools, you can still use the platform to generate income. Many top creators make most of their money through these "indirect" methods:

• Brand Deals and Sponsorships: Brands will pay you to create content promoting their products or services. This is often the most lucrative income stream. You don’t need millions of followers, either - many brands seek out micro-influencers with smaller but highly engaged audiences.
• Affiliate Marketing: You promote a product and earn a commission for every sale made through your unique affiliate link. You can put this link in your bio using a tool like Linktree or Beacons, and then direct viewers to it from your videos. Amazon Associates and other affiliate networks are a great place to start.
• Selling Your Own Products or Services: Do you have an online course, a coaching service, an eBook, or physical merchandise? TikTok is an incredibly powerful sales funnel. Use your content to build authority and trust, then guide your audience to a product that solves a problem for them.

Final Thoughts

Checking your TikTok monetization status is your first step toward turning creativity into income, but achieving the required milestones comes down to a smart and consistent content strategy. By focusing on your niche and analytics, you can build a community that not only meets the monetization thresholds but sustains your growth as a creator.

Growth feels so much more achievable when you have the right tools in your corner. That’s why we built Postbase to make things simpler. Seeing your complete content plan in our visual calendar helps you stay consistent, and our analytics dashboard shows you exactly which videos are driving follower growth. When you can schedule everything in one place, you spend less time juggling apps and more time creating the content that will get you to 10,000 followers and beyond.