How to Enable Monetization on Facebook Videos

Turning your Facebook videos into a reliable revenue stream is more than possible - it's a practical goal for creators and businesses sharing engaging content. You’ve put in the work to create great videos, now it’s time to get paid for them. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding the eligibility requirements to the step-by-step process of enabling monetization tools like in-stream ads.

First Things First: Do You Qualify for Facebook Monetization?

Before you get into the settings, you have to meet Meta's specific eligibility rules. Earning money on Facebook isn't just about getting views, it's about building a consistent, compliant presence on the platform. Think of these requirements as the foundation you need before you can start building your revenue house.

There are two main sets of rules to follow: policies and performance metrics.

1. Following the Rules: Policy Requirements

Facebook is protective of its advertising ecosystem. They want brands to feel safe placing ads on your videos, so your Page and content must comply with three core sets of standards:

• Partner Monetization Policies: These are the overarching rules for Pages, Groups, and Events on Facebook. They focus on authentic behavior, protecting intellectual property, and sharing content that's genuinely your own or that you have the rights to use.
• Content Monetization Policies: This set of rules gets specific about the type of content you can monetize. It prohibits things like static videos (e.g., an image with background music), looping videos, text montages, and slideshows of images. It also governs sensitive topics and formats to ensure everything remains brand-safe.
• Community Standards: These are the basic rules of Facebook that apply to everyone, covering hate speech, explicit content, violence, and general user safety. You can't monetize a Page that regularly violates these fundamental rules.

2. The Numbers Game: Performance & Presence Requirements

Policies are about the quality and safety of your content, performance metrics are about your reach and influence. To qualify for the most common monetization tool, in-stream ads, you need to hit these three milestones:

• Have 5,000 Followers: This is a baseline number that demonstrates you have an established audience interested in your content.
• Generate 60,000 total minutes viewed in the last 60 days: This is a powerful metric that shows your recent content is genuinely engaging viewers. It’s not just about getting clicks, it's about holding attention. This viewership can come from a combination of on-demand videos, live videos, and previously live videos. Minutes from crossposted or boosted videos don't count toward this total.
• Have at least 5 active on-demand or previously live videos: Facebook wants to see that you have a library of content. This shows you're not a one-hit-wonder and are committed to creating video content regularly. These videos must be published on your Page and can't be deleted.

On top of this, you must be at least 18 years old and live in a country eligible for in-stream ads. The list of eligible countries expands over time, so it's always a good idea to check Meta's official list for the most up-to-date information.

Know Your Options: Different Ways to Monetize Videos

In-stream ads are the most popular method for video monetization, but they aren't the only tool at your disposal. Understanding all your options allows you to create a monetization strategy that fits your unique content style and audience.

In-Stream Ads

This is the classic video monetization model you see on platforms like YouTube. Ads can run before your video (pre-roll), during your video (mid-roll), or after (post-roll). To be eligible for in-stream ads, your videos must typically be over one minute long. For mid-roll ads, which are often the highest earners, your video needs to be at least three minutes long, with the ad inserted at a natural break in the content.

Facebook Stars

Stars are a virtual currency that lets your fans show their support, almost like a digital tip jar. Viewers can buy Stars and send them to you during your Live videos or on-demand videos that have Stars enabled. For every Star you receive, Meta pays you. This is a fantastic tool for creators who have a highly engaged and loyal community, as it allows fans to directly support their work.

Fan Subscriptions

For creators with a dedicated following, Fan Subscriptions offer a way to generate predictable, recurring monthly income. Your most passionate fans can pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive perks, such as supporter-only content, a special badge, merchandise discounts, and exclusive live videos. This model works best once you’ve built a strong relationship with your audience and can deliver consistent, valuable bonus content.

Step-by-Step: How to Enable In-Stream Ads on Facebook

Ready to get started? Once you believe you meet all the eligibility requirements, you can officially apply for monetization. The process is handled through Meta Business Suite (formerly Creator Studio).

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility Status

Instead of guessing if you qualify, let Facebook tell you directly.

1. Go to Meta Business Suite or Creator Studio.
2. On the left-hand navigation menu, look for the "Monetization" tab.
3. In the Monetization Overview section, you'll see a list of your Pages. The platform will give you a status for each Page (e.g., "Eligible," "At Risk," "Not Eligible").
4. Click on a Page to get a more detailed breakdown. It will show you exactly where you stand with each requirement - followers, minutes viewed, and active videos - so you know what you need to work on.

Step 2: Choose Your Page and Agree to the Terms

If the status says you're ready to go, click the "Set Up" button next to in-stream ads. You'll be prompted to select the Page you want to monetize. Review the terms and conditions carefully and agree to proceed. This is the official agreement between you and Facebook regarding monetization.

Step 3: Set Up Your Payouts Account

This is the most important step for getting paid. Facebook needs to know who you are and where to send the money. You’ll be asked to provide:

• Your Legal Name and Address: This must match your official documents.
• Your Business Type: (Individual, LLC, Partnership, etc.).
• Tax Information: You’ll need to fill out a tax form. For U.S. residents, this is typically a W-9 form. For non-U.S. residents monetizing from the U.S., it's a W-8BEN form.
• Banking Information: Provide your bank's routing number and your account number, or link a PayPal account for payouts. Double-check this information for accuracy to avoid payment delays.

Once your payout account is configured, you can use it for any monetization tools you get approved for across all your Pages.

Step 4: Submit Your Page for Review

After your payout account is set, your Page will be submitted for review. The Facebook team will manually check your Page to make sure it complies with all of their Partner and Content Monetization Policies. This review process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on their volume of applications. You’ll receive a notification and a confirmation email once a decision has been made.

Step 5: Turn Ads On for Your Videos

Once approved, you can start placing ads! You can turn on Automatic Placements, which lets Facebook's algorithm put ads in the best spots in your videos to balance user experience and revenue. For more control, you can manually place ads in new videos as you upload them or go back and monetize eligible videos in your existing library.

Best Practices for Making More Money with Your Videos

Getting approved is just the beginning. To grow your earnings, you need to create content with monetization in mind.

• Aim for 3+ Minute Videos: The sweet spot for earnings is in videos longer than three minutes. This length allows for mid-roll ads, which pay significantly more than pre-roll ads because the viewer is already invested in your content. Structure your videos with a strong hook, engaging middle, and satisfying conclusion to keep people watching.
• Create Ad-Friendly Content: Consistently stick to the Content Monetization Policies. Avoid controversial themes, excessive profanity, or graphic topics that might scare advertisers away. The more "brand-safe" your content is, the more ads will be matched to it.
• Be Consistent: The key to hitting the 60,000 minutes-viewed mark and keeping it is consistency. Regular, predictable uploads train both your audience and the algorithm to pay attention to your Page. Develop a content schedule and stick to it.
• Analyze What Works: Use the analytics inside Meta Business Suite to see which videos earn the most money and drive the most engagement. Look for patterns. Do your "how-to" videos perform better than your vlogs? Double down on the formats and topics that resonate most with your audience.
• Go Live: Live video is an incredible tool for engagement. Not only can you use in-stream ads during Lives (if you meet eligibility), but this is also your best opportunity to earn Facebook Stars from your most dedicated fans.

Final Thoughts

Monetizing your Facebook videos is a journey of meeting specific rules, hitting performance targets, and consistently producing content your audience loves to watch. By understanding the policies, setting up your account correctly, and optimizing your videos for longer watch times, you can turn your passion into a meaningful source of income.

Creating all that great video content is the fun part, but maintaining the consistency needed to meet and exceed those audience metrics can feel like a full-time job. With our built-in visual content calendar and powerful scheduling features, we built Postbase to make that job easier. We help you plan all your content across every platform, see your entire strategy at a glance, and schedule weeks in advance so you can stop stressing about your content calendar and focus on what you do best: making amazing videos.