How to Turn On TikTok Creator Fund

Ready to get paid for your TikTok videos? Applying to the TikTok Creator Fund - now evolving into the Creator Rewards Program - is the official way for creators to monetize their content directly on the platform. This guide will walk you through the eligibility requirements, the step-by-step application process, and actionable strategies to help you succeed once you’re in.

What is the TikTok Creator Fund (and the New Creator Rewards Program)?

The TikTok Creator Fund was launched as the platform's initial effort to pay creators for their contributions. It wasn't about ad revenue sharing, like on YouTube, but rather a set pool of money distributed to creators based on a variety of video performance factors. Think of it as TikTok’s way of rewarding the people who make the platform an engaging place to be.

More recently, TikTok has been transitioning from the original Creator Fund to the new Creator Rewards Program (previously known as the Creativity Program Beta). While many still refer to it as the "Creator Fund," the new program is a significant evolution designed to better compensate creators for higher-quality, longer content.

The core idea remains the same: create great videos, and TikTok will pay you. But the new program changes the rules of the game, placing a heavy emphasis on videos that are over one minute long. For creators, this means the potential for higher earnings is much greater than it was with the original Fund.

Are You Eligible? The Official Requirements

Before you can apply, you need to make sure you and your account meet all of TikTok’s criteria. The requirements are strict, and there are no shortcuts. Here’s a clear checklist of what you need to qualify:

• Location: You must be a legal resident of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, or Italy. TikTok is gradually expanding this list, so keep an eye out for updates if your country isn't included yet.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years of age. TikTok will require you to verify your age with a government-issued ID during the application process.
• Follower Count: You need to have at least 10,000 authentic followers. Buying followers will not work, TikTok's system is smart enough to detect inorganic growth, which can lead to your application being denied or your account being penalized.
• Video Views: Your videos must have accumulated at least 100,000 authentic video views in the 30 days prior to your application. This demonstrates that you have an actively engaged audience.
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing and adhere to TikTok's Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. This means no recent violations, strikes, or removed content for breaking rules. A clean record is essential.

How to Turn On the TikTok Creator Fund: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve confirmed you meet all the eligibility requirements, the application process itself is straightforward and done entirely within the TikTok app. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Switch to a Creator Account

If you’re currently using a personal account, you’ll need to switch to a Creator Account to access monetization tools. A Business Account will also work, but the toolbox for creators is generally more fitting.

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings and privacy."
4. Tap on "Account."
5. Choose "Switch to Creator Account" and follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to select a category that best describes your content.

Switching is free and gives you access to detailed analytics about your videos and followers - a valuable tool whether you join the fund or not.

Step 2: Access Your Creator Tools

After switching to a Creator Account, a new set of options becomes available in your settings. This is where you’ll find the application for the Creator Rewards Program.

1. Go back to your "Settings and privacy" menu.
2. Look for the section titled "Creator Tools." Tap on it.

This dashboard is your new mission control. It houses your analytics, promotion tools, and, most importantly, the monetization options available to you.

Step 3: Find and Apply for the Creator Rewards Program

Within the Creator Tools menu, you’ll see several monetization features. The one you’re looking for will be named either "Creator Fund" or, more likely, "Creator Rewards Program".

1. Scroll through the Creator Tools until you see Creator Rewards Program.
2. Tap on it. The app will first check if you meet the baseline requirements for followers and location.
3. If you are eligible, an "Apply" button will be visible. Tap it to start your application.

Step 4: Complete the Application and Verify Your Identity

Now you just need to provide some final information and agree to the terms.

• You’ll be asked to confirm that you are 18 years or older.
• You may be prompted to submit a photo of a government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to verify your age and identity. This is a standard security measure.
• Read through the Creator Rewards Program Agreement and accept the terms.

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

After you submit your application, all you can do is wait. It typically takes TikTok a few days to review your application and make a decision. You'll receive a notification within the app letting you know if you've been accepted.

If you're accepted, congratulations! You’ll gain access to the Creator Rewards dashboard, where you can track your earnings. Keep in mind that only views on videos published after your approval will count toward your funds.

If you're rejected, don't panic. TikTok will usually provide a reason. Most often, it's because you didn't meet one or more of the requirements at the time of review. You can re-apply 30 days after receiving your rejection notice. Use that time to improve your metrics - gain more followers, increase your views, and make sure your account is in perfect standing.

How Much Can You Actually Make? Demystifying Payouts

This is the million-dollar question, figuratively and literally. The truth is, earnings vary wildly between creators. Under the old Creator Fund, payouts were notoriously low, with creators reporting an average RPM (Revenue Per Mille, or earnings per 1,000 views) of just $0.02 to $0.04.

The new Creator Rewards Program is designed to be much more lucrative, but it’s based on a more complex calculation that rewards quality over pure virality. Here are the factors that influence how much you can make:

• Qualified Views: Not all views count. TikTok only pays for "qualified views," which generally means views that aren’t fraudulent, are from the "For You" page, and from unique users. Repeated views from one person don't keep adding to your total.
• Watch Time: This is huge with the new program. The longer people watch your one-minute-plus video, the more valuable that view becomes. A video watched to completion is worth far more than one someone scrolls past after five seconds.
• Content Originality: TikTok rewards original, authentic content. Videos that use unoriginal clips or are simply re-uploads of someone else’s content won’t be eligible for monetization.
• Audience Location: Viewers from certain regions (like the US and parts of Europe) often correspond to a higher RPM because the advertising markets in those areas are more valuable.

With the Creator Rewards Program, successful creators have reported RPMs anywhere from $0.20 to over $1.00. This means a video with 1 million qualified views could earn you anywhere from $200 to over $1,000, a massive improvement from the old fund.

Actionable Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

Getting accepted is just the first step. The real challenge is creating content that consistently earns. Here are some proven strategies to boost your income.

1. Focus on Videos Longer Than One Minute

This is the single most important rule for the Creator Rewards Program. The entire system is built to reward longer watch times. Shift your content strategy to accommodate longer formats. Think in terms of storytelling, in-depth tutorials, multi-part series, listicles, or detailed commentary. Give viewers a reason to stick around past the 60-second mark.

2. Find Your Niche and Go Deep

Generic, trend-chasing content can go viral, but niche content builds a loyal community. When you create for a specific audience (e.g., vintage camera enthusiasts, vegan bakers, historical painters), your viewers are more likely to be invested. They’ll watch your videos for longer, engage with comments, and follow you for your expertise. This deep engagement is exactly what the algorithm rewards.

3. Master the First Three Seconds

Even in a long video, the hook is everything. You have about three seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling. Start with a captivating question, a shocking statement, a visually stunning shot, or a teaser of the final result. If you can’t grab their attention immediately, they’ll never make it to the one-minute mark.

4. Double Down on Quality

Poor production quality is an instant turn-off. You don’t need a Hollywood budget, but you should prioritize basics.

• Clear Audio: Use a microphone or record in a quiet space. Muffled, hard-to-hear audio will make people leave instantly.
• Good Lighting: Film in front of a window or use a ring light. A well-lit video looks more professional and is easier to watch.
• Stable Video: Use a tripod or prop your phone against something to avoid shaky footage.

5. Post Consistently and Analyze Everything

Consistency builds momentum with the algorithm and your audience. Create a content schedule you can realistically stick to. It doesn't have to be daily, but it should be regular. Pair this with a weekly check-in on your TikTok Analytics. Go to Creator Tools > Analytics to see which videos resonated, what time your followers are most active, and your average watch time. Use this data to refine your strategy and make more of what works.

Final Thoughts

Getting into the TikTok Creator Rewards Program is a huge milestone for any creator. It’s a process of meeting specific criteria, applying correctly, and then adapting your content to align with what the platform rewards: high-quality, engaging videos that keep viewers watching for longer than a minute.

Juggling the demands of creating longer videos, posting consistently, and engaging with your community can be a lot to handle. That’s why we built Postbase. We designed it for creators and social media managers first, making it simple to plan your video content visually, schedule posts across all your platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels from one place, and manage all your comments without constantly switching apps. It helps you stay aligned so you can focus on making amazing content, not just managing it behind the scenes.