How to Get into TikTok Creator Rewards Program

The TikTok Creator Rewards Program offers a much clearer path to earning real money from your content, moving beyond the mysteries of the old Creator Fund. This guide breaks down exactly what the program is, who is eligible, and the concrete steps you need to take to not only get in but also thrive once you’re accepted. We’ll go over the official requirements and the unwritten rules for creating content that the program is designed to reward.

What Exactly is the TikTok Creator Rewards Program?

Think of the Creator Rewards Program as TikTok’s next-generation monetization system, replacing the original Creator Fund. While the Creator Fund paid creators from a fixed pool of money, the Rewards Program is designed to be more dynamic and rewarding, especially for those creating high-quality, longer-form content. It operates on a revenue-per-mille (RPM) model, which means you earn money based on qualified views of your videos that are one minute or longer.

The key differences are significant:

• Focus on Longer Videos: The program is built to incentivize videos that are over one minute long. TikTok wants to compete with YouTube, and this is their way of encouraging creators to produce more substantial content that keeps users on the platform longer.
• Dynamic RPM: Your RPM (how much you earn per 1,000 qualified views) isn't static. It's calculated based on factors like video engagement, watch time, search value, and viewer location. This means a high-engagement, well-produced video on a valuable topic can earn significantly more than a lower-effort one.
• Only 'For You' Page Views Count: To be a "qualified view" and count towards your earnings, the view must come from the For You page. Views from your profile, followers, or search alone don't count, highlighting the importance of creating content that the algorithm wants to push.

Eligibility: The Official Checklist You Must Meet

Before you can even think about applying, you need to meet a specific set of criteria. TikTok is firm on these, so make sure you check every box before hitting that apply button.

The Non-Negotiables:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Location: You need to be based in a country where the program is available. This currently includes the U.S., UK, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Brazil, with plans to expand.
• Follower Count: You need at least 10,000 followers. This proves you have an established audience.
• View Count: You must have a minimum of 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. This demonstrates that your content is consistently reaching a broad audience.
• Content: All your content must be original and adhere to TikTok's Community Guidelines. No violations or strikes.
• Account Status: You need to have an account in good standing. This means no repeated violations, no spammy behavior, and a history of following the rules. A personal account is required, business accounts are not eligible.

How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process

If you meet all the criteria above, applying is straightforward. You can find the option right inside the TikTok app.

1. Go to Your Profile: Open TikTok and tap on the 'Profile' icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Open the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open your settings and privacy menu.
3. Select Creator Tools: From the menu, tap on 'Creator Tools'.
4. Find the Creator Rewards Program: Inside Creator Tools, you should see an option for the 'Creator Rewards Program' under the 'Monetization' section. If you don't see it, it likely means you're either not in an eligible region or haven't met the criteria yet.
5. Submit Your Application: Follow the on-screen prompts to apply. You'll need to confirm your age and agree to the program's terms. The review process can take a few days, so be patient.

Strategies to Get Accepted and Maximize Your Earnings

Meeting the numbers is just step one. The real challenge is creating content that actually succeeds within the program. Just because you get in doesn't guarantee you'll earn much. Here's how to position yourself for success.

Master the Art of the 1-Minute+ Video

This is, without a doubt, the most important skill for this program. Making videos over 60 seconds that people actually finish watching is tough. Forget random dance clips or quick lip-syncs. You need substance.

How to Keep Viewers Hooked for a Full Minute:

• Nail the First 3 Seconds: Your intro has one job: stop the scroll. Start with a polarizing statement, a burning question, or a visual hook that sparks curiosity. Example: Instead of saying "Today I'm going to review this gadget," start with "This gadget RUINED my workflow, and here's why."
• Use a Storytelling Framework: Every great video has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Even tutorials. Introduce a problem (the hook), guide the viewer through the solution (the body), and provide a clear takeaway or call to action (the conclusion).
• Change the Scenery (or the Angle): Static talking head videos get boring fast. Use jump cuts, switch camera angles, B-roll footage, and on-screen text overlays to create visual momentum. Each change resets the viewer's attention span for another few seconds.
• Provide Clear Value: Your video must either entertain or educate. A funny story, a step-by-step tutorial, an in-depth product review, or a fascinating piece of knowledge are all forms of value. If your video doesn't provide one of these, viewers have no reason to stick around.

A practical example: a DIY creator could show the finished project in the first two seconds (visual hook), then quickly transition into "Here are the 3 mistakes I made so you don't have to," then walk through the process, and finally end with a quick summary of the key tips. That's a perfect one-minute+ format.

Originality is Everything - Literally

The Creator Rewards Program does not reward regurgitated or low-effort content. Your work must be entirely your own creation.

Content That Gets Disqualified:

• Stitches and Duets: While great for engagement, they are generally not eligible for the program because a large portion of the video is someone else's content.
• Photo Slideshows: Low-effort photo dumps with music are not original video content and won't earn you anything.
• Re-uploads and Unoriginal Content: Posting clips from movies, TV shows, or other creators' videos will get you disqualified - and likely a community guidelines strike.

Your goal should be to become a source of original ideas and value in your niche. Are you an expert baker, a hilarious comedian, a master woodworker? Whatever it is, lean into making content that only you could make.

Find Your Niche and Absolutely Own It

The algorithm rewards consistency. When you consistently post high-quality videos about a specific topic - let's say vintage fashion or drone videography - TikTok begins to identify you as an authority in that space. It learns exactly who to show your content to.

This does two things:

1. It attracts a dedicated audience that is more likely to watch your longer videos because they genuinely care about the topic.
2. It increases your "search" value, which is a factor in calculating your RPM. When people search for terms related to your niche, your highly-relevant videos are more likely to appear, drawing qualified views.

Don't be afraid to niche down. An account focused on "restoring and styling 1970s decor" will build a stronger, more valuable audience than a generic "home decor" account that covers a bit of everything.

What if My Application is Rejected?

First off, don't panic. A rejection is not a permanent "no." It’s a temporary setback that gives you a chance to reassess and improve. You can re-apply 30 days after receiving the decision.

Immediate Action Steps After a Rejection:

• Review the Community Guidelines: The most common reason for rejection is having content that, even unintentionally, skirts the rules. Go through your recent posts with a fine-toothed comb and remove anything that could be considered questionable.
• Audit Your Content for Originality: Do you have any stitches, duets, or trending slideshow templates that are dragging you down? Focus your next 30 days entirely on creating 100% original content.
• Check Your Follower and View Metrics: Did you dip below the 10k follower or 100k view threshold right before you applied? Keep creating compelling content to ensure your numbers are well above the minimum requirement when you re-apply.

Use the 30-day waiting period as a boot camp. Focus intensely on creating longer videos, refining your niche, and engaging with your community. When you re-apply, you'll be in a much stronger position to get that "Welcome to the program" notification.

Final Thoughts

Getting into the TikTok Creator Rewards Program comes down to meeting the brass-tacks requirements and, more importantly, dedicating yourself to creating high-quality, original long-form video. Success isn’t about chasing viral trends with short clips, it's about building a genuine brand, providing real value, and mastering viewership retention for videos that are over a minute long.

Consistently producing that kind of high-value, long-form content is where creators often stumble. That’s why we built Postbase with a visual content calendar designed for today's creators. By planning out videos, storyboards, and scripts in advance, you can see your entire content strategy at a glance, spot gaps, and ensure you're consistently delivering the long-form content that the Rewards Program is built to reward, without feeling overwhelmed.