Is the TikTok Creator Fund Worth It? Everything You Need to Know
It’s hard to imagine what viral moment will take the world by storm this year, but we can almost guarantee it’ll trend on TikTok first. And the app’s endless popularity means there are plenty of ways to monetize.
Among them is the TikTok Creator Fund, which launched last year with a whopping initial investment of $200 million USD and a promise to reach $1 billion in the next three years.
Yes, there’s presumably a large bag of TikTok money just waiting to be claimed by the smartest, most engaging content creators. But what exactly is the TikTok Creator Fund, and is it worth your time?
We’ve answered all of your questions about this exciting (and potentially controversial) new program.
Bonus: Download the free 10-Day Reels Challenge, a daily workbook of creative prompts that will help you get started with Instagram Reels, track your growth, and see results across your entire Instagram profile.
What is the TikTok Creator Fund?
@tiktok_uk The Creator Fund is open! We’re so excited to celebrate creativity with a European fund of €254 million. See link in bio for more info
It’s right there in the name: the TikTok Creator Fund is a monetary fund for creators. It’s not an ad revenue sharing program like YouTube’s AdSense, nor is it a form of arts grant. It’s simply a way for TikTok to share income with creators who are killing it on the platform.
TikTok first launched the Creator Fund in the spring of 2021 with an initial investment of $200 million USD. In the company’s own words, the fund was launched “to encourage those who dream of using their voices and creativity to spark inspirational careers.”
The TikTok Creator Fund was an instant success (although not without its controversies, as you’ll soon read). The fund is so popular, in fact, that the company will increase it to $1 billion within the next three years.
TikTok has been decidedly secretive about their payout structure, but the general idea is that users who meet their requirements will be compensated for well-performing videos. How TikTok calculates their payouts is based on factors like views, video engagement and even region-specific performance.
It should go without saying, but the videos also need to adhere to the Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, so you’ll have to rack up your views without breaking the rules.
How much does the TikTok Creator Fund pay?
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When TikTok users first learned about this enormous fund, they understandably had dollar signs in their eyes (no filter necessary). But even with multiple millions at play, high-performing TikTok users shouldn’t expect a life-changing payday just yet.
There are no hard rules about how much the TikTok Creator Fund pays its contributors. But plenty of creators have gone on record to explain their own experience with the Creator Fund.
The general consensus is that TikTok pays between 2 and 4 cents for every 1,000 views. Some quick math suggests you might expect $20 to $40 after reaching a million views.
At first glance, that might look pretty bad. But remember: the fund should inspire creators to, well, keep creating. Master your TikTok game and you could be hitting millions of views on a regular basis.
Once you’ve racked up at least $10 from the Fund, you can simply withdraw your Creator Fund payout using an online financial service like Paypal or Zelle.
Who can join the TikTok Creator Fund?
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The TikTok Creator Fund is available for users based in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Yes, Canadians and Australians are out of luck for now, but rumour has it the fund will launch in their respective countries later in 2022.
As long as you’re in the right location, there are a few other requirements to join the Creator Fund.
Bonus: Download the free 10-Day Reels Challenge, a daily workbook of creative prompts that will help you get started with Instagram Reels, track your growth, and see results across your entire Instagram profile.
Get the creative prompts now!- You need to have a Pro account (and it’s easy to make the switch if you don’t)
- You need to have at least 10,000 followers
- You need to have received at least 100,000 views in the last 30 days
You also need to be 18 or older and make sure you’re following the TikTok Community Guidelines and terms of service. And in order to make money off your work, you should be making original content.
If you meet those requirements, you’re good to sign up for the Creator Fund. But should you?
Is it worth it to join the TikTok Creator Fund?
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As with any new social media feature, there has been plenty of debate (and downright drama) over the TikTok Creator Fund. From valid concerns to surprising benefits, let’s dig into the pros and cons of the fund:
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Pros
Money!
It goes without saying that getting paid for your work is always a good thing, so payouts from TikTok are an obvious pro. Even if the amounts are small, money is a great motivator to keep uploading.
Unlimited Money!
Another great thing about the Creator Fund is that TikTok hasn’t set a limit for how much money one user can make. So if you do master the platform and break into the multi-million view zone, you could theoretically start raking in some decent cash.
Friendship!
The Creator Fund is also a great way to foster community and set apart users who have shown a dedication to the platform. From TikTok’s perspective, it’s also a great way keep their high-performing users dedicated to the app rather than switching over to YouTube or Instagram.
@not_not_mariah_ #greenscreen Wanna know how much you get paid for 1 million views in the creator fund? WATCH! #studentloans #creatorfund
Cons
Conspiracy…
Some users have claimed that their views have been cut (by the algorithm?) since they signed up for the Creator Fund. TikTok has denied this theory, explaining that participation in the fund has no bearing on the algorithm. Others think view counts might seem lower because there are so many more Fund recipients flooding the feed.
Confusion…
While they’re decent with general analytics, TikTok is super secretive about how they calculate payouts. The 2-4 cents rule is based on hearsay from users, as is just about everything else from the Fund. In fact, the user agreement states that reporting metrics and other private information about the fund are meant to be kept confidential.
Commitment…
Outside of hearsay, the biggest potential downside of the Creator Fund is the simple fact that you’ll need to create a ton of content, and have it perform incredibly well, in order to make cash from the app. For some, that might make TikTok feel more like a job than a fun hobby.
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So is the TikTok Creator Fund worth it? It really boils down to personal choice. Knowing what we know, you’re not going to be buying a TikTok hype house with the money you make from the program, but it’s also a low-risk way to create more passive income on your content.
Assuming you meet the requirements, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Plus, you can always quit if you’re not feeling it.
Think of it like another tool in your influencer toolbox. Pair it with other monetization options like sponsored posts via the TikTok Creator Marketplace or merch sales, brand deals, crowdfunding and other strategies.
How to join the TikTok Creator Fund
@sharontseung How to apply to the TikTok creator fund! #tiktok #creatorfund #tiktokcreatorfund #contentcreator
If you meet all of the requirements listed earlier in this article, it’s super easy to apply for the Creator Fund. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Make sure you have a Pro account.
If you’re already signed up for TikTok with a Pro account, you can skip this step. Otherwise, simply open the app and tap Me to go to your profile.
From there, tap the three lines on the top right and click Manage Account. Under Account Control hit Switch to Pro Account. Then you can choose either a Creator or a Business account under the Pro category.
2. Head to Settings and Privacy.
Click on Creator tools and choose TikTok Creator Fund.
3. Read the fine print.
It’s probably a good idea to actually read through the TikTok Creator Fund Agreement before you agree to anything. You’ll also need to confirm that you’re over the age of 18.
4. Submit and wait.
TikTok will let you know if they decide to approve your application. And don’t worry — if you get rejected, you can apply again in 30 days.
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Bonus: Download the free 10-Day Reels Challenge, a daily workbook of creative prompts that will help you get started with Instagram Reels, track your growth, and see results across your entire Instagram profile.
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