How to Join TikTok Creator Fund: Complete Requirements & Application Guide
Want to know how to join TikTok creator fund? Get the requirements, step-by-step application process, and tips to maximize your earnings on TikTok.
Learning how to join TikTok creator fund has gotten a lot more confusing lately. Here’s why: TikTok discontinued the original Creator Fund in December 2023.
They replaced it with something better called the Creator Rewards Program. The good news? You can earn up to 20 times more money now.
I’ll walk you through exactly what you need to qualify, how the application works, and what to expect when you start earning. Let’s get into the requirements first.
Key Takeaways
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The original Creator Fund ended in December 2023, the Creator Rewards Program replaced it with 20x higher payouts ranging from $400-$1,000 per million views.
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You need exactly 10,000 followers, 100,000 views in the last 30 days, a personal account, and videos at least 1 minute long to qualify for the program.
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Application path: Profile → Menu (☰) → TikTok Studio → Creator Rewards Program → Accept Agreement → Submit (review takes 3 days).
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Only 8 countries currently qualify: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Mexico; no other regions can apply yet.
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Combine Creator Rewards with TikTok Shop, LIVE Gifts, and brand partnerships to maximize your income instead of relying on one monetization method.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program: What Replaced the Creator Fund
TikTok launched the original Creator Fund back in 2020 with $200 million. However, creators complained constantly about tiny payouts. Some earned just $20-$40 for a million views. That’s basically nothing.
So TikTok shut it down and built something new. The Creator Rewards Program pays significantly better. We’re talking about $400-$1,000 per million views instead of pocket change. That’s a massive upgrade.
Currently, the program works in 8 countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Mexico. Spain and Italy got cut from the original list, which frustrated many creators there.
The biggest change? Your videos must be at least one minute long now. TikTok wants longer content that keeps people watching. Short 15-second clips don’t qualify anymore. This shift means you’ll need to adjust your content strategy completely.
Eligibility Requirements for the Creator Rewards Program
You need to hit specific numbers before applying. First, you must be 18 years old. South Korea requires 19 instead.
Your follower count matters too. TikTok requires at least 10,000 followers on your account. Additionally, you need 100,000 video views within the last 30 days. These aren’t total career views, they must happen in the most recent month.
Here’s something crucial: business accounts don’t qualify. You must have a personal account. Therefore, switch your account type before applying if you’re currently set to business.
Your location determines eligibility completely. You must live in one of those 8 countries I mentioned earlier. Furthermore, your account needs to be registered there too.
Content requirements get specific:
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Create 100% original content you filmed and edited yourself
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Make videos at least 1 minute long
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Get 1,000+ qualified views from the For You feed per video
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Skip Duets, Stitches, and Photo Mode videos, they don’t count
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Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines without violations
👉Reaching 10,000 followers organically can take months of consistent effort. If you’re close to the threshold but need that final push to become eligible, we offer a service to buy TikTok followers from real accounts with fast delivery.
This helps you meet the minimum requirement faster while you continue building your content strategy. The followers come from authentic profiles, which maintains your account’s credibility during TikTok’s review process.
Step-by-Step: How to Join TikTok Creator Fund (Creator Rewards)
The application process lives inside your TikTok app. You can’t apply for the TikTok creator fund through a browser or desktop.
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1. Open TikTok and tap your Profile icon at the bottom right.
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2. Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) at the top of your screen.
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3. Select “TikTok Studio” from the menu options.
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4. Look for “Creator Rewards Program” and tap it.
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5. Read through the entire agreement carefully. It explains how payments work and what TikTok expects from you.
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6. Accept the agreement and submit your application.
Now you wait. TikTok typically reviews applications within 3 days. They’ll send a notification directly through the app with their decision.
Got rejected? Don’t panic. You can appeal the decision within 30 days. Alternatively, wait 30 days and reapply after improving your content quality.
One more thing: acceptance isn’t permanent. You must maintain those eligibility requirements continuously. Drop below 10,000 followers or violate Community Guidelines? TikTok can remove you from the program immediately.
How Much Does TikTok Pay Creators?
TikTok calculates payments using RPM (Revenue Per Mille). That’s fancy talk for “money per 1,000 views.” Most creators earn between $0.40 and $1.00 per 1,000 qualified views.
Premium content earns more. Videos shot in 1080p or higher with polished editing can hit $4-$8 per 1,000 views through something called Additional Reward.
Let’s break down real numbers. A video with 1 million views typically earns $400-$1,000. Compare that to the old Creator Fund’s $20-$40 for the same views. The difference is staggering.
Several factors affect your earnings:
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Watch time: Videos people finish completely earn more
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Engagement: Likes, comments, and shares boost your RPM
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Audience location: American viewers generate 5-10x more revenue than viewers from developing countries
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Video quality: Higher resolution and better editing increase payouts
Money appears in your dashboard 3 days after you rack up views. However, you can’t withdraw until you hit the $10 minimum. Then you must wait 30 days after the month ends to cash out.
Payment methods include PayPal for most countries. Japan offers Payoneer or bank transfer instead. PayPal processes in 72 hours, while bank transfers take up to 15 days.
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
TikTok rejects applications for specific reasons. Understanding them helps you avoid mistakes.
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Unoriginal content kills applications instantly. Reposts, compilations, and slideshows don’t qualify as original work. Even if you add filters or text overlays to someone else’s video, TikTok considers it unoriginal.
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Low-quality videos hurt your chances too. Blurry footage, poor lighting, or sloppy editing signals you’re not ready. Invest time in learning basic video editing before applying.
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Community Guidelines violations from your past haunt you. Previous strikes on your account raise red flags during review. Clean up your content history first.
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Business accounts get automatically rejected. Switch to a personal account in your settings before you even think about applying.
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Copyright issues disqualify videos too. Using copyrighted music for more than one minute in your video violates the rules. Stick to TikTok’s commercial music library instead.
Alternative Ways to Monetize Your TikTok Account
Creator Rewards isn’t your only option. Smart creators stack multiple income sources.
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TikTok Shop lets you sell products directly or earn affiliate commissions. It’s available in more countries than Creator Rewards. Plus, you can start with fewer followers.
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LIVE Gifts provide instant cash. Viewers send virtual gifts during your livestreams. You convert those gifts into Diamonds, then cash out. You only need 1,000 followers to go LIVE.
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Brand partnerships often pay better than platform monetization. Companies pay creators directly for sponsored content. Your TikTok marketing strategy for attracting brands should focus on a specific niche and consistent engagement rates.
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Creator Marketplace connects you with brands officially. TikTok runs this platform to facilitate partnerships.
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Link in bio drives traffic to your monetized external platforms. Send followers to your YouTube, blog, or online store where you control the monetization.
Most successful creators combine Creator Rewards with sponsorships, affiliate sales, and other methods. Diversification protects your income when the algorithm changes tank your views temporarily.
Tips to Reach 10K Followers and 100K Views
Getting to 10,000 followers takes strategic effort. Post consistently, aim for 3-5 videos per week minimum. The algorithm favors active accounts.
Trending sounds and hashtags give you visibility boosts. Jump on trends early before they get oversaturated. However, add your unique spin instead of copying exactly what everyone else does.
Your first 3 seconds determine everything. Create strong hooks that make people stop scrolling immediately. Ask questions, show surprising visuals, or tease valuable information.
Optimize for watch time rather than just views. The longer people watch, the more TikTok promotes your content. Therefore, structure your videos to build curiosity throughout.
Respond to comments quickly after posting. This engagement signals to TikTok that your content sparks conversation. Additionally, it helps you gain followers on TikTok by building relationships with viewers.
Conclusion
Learning how to join the TikTok creator fund means understanding the Creator Rewards Program completely.
You need 10,000 followers, 100,000 monthly views, and videos longer than one minute. The application takes just minutes through TikTok Studio.
Focus on creating original, engaging content that keeps viewers watching. Meanwhile, explore other monetization methods to maximize your earning potential.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch back to the Creator Fund instead of Creator Rewards?
No, the original Creator Fund is permanently discontinued. Once you join Creator Rewards, that's your only platform monetization option. You can't switch back because the old program simply doesn't exist anymore. Focus on maximizing earnings through the new system instead.
How long does it take to receive my first payment?
Your earnings appear in your dashboard 3 days after views accumulate. However, you must wait until the following month ends, then another 30 days to withdraw. So realistically, your first payment arrives 6-8 weeks after your first viral video. Plan accordingly and don't expect instant cash.
Will joining affect my video reach or views?
TikTok officially states that joining doesn't impact your algorithmic reach. Many creators report no changes after acceptance. However, some claim their views dropped. There's no concrete evidence either way. Focus on content quality regardless of monetization status.
Is there a difference between how to apply for the TikTok creator fund on iOS versus Android?
No, the application process works identically on both platforms. You follow the same steps through TikTok Studio regardless of your device. The interface looks slightly different, but the buttons and options remain in the same order. Both platforms process applications through the same review system too.