What the TikTok Creator Fund is and who can join

The TikTok Creator Fund is a program that pays creators based on video views and engagement. You earn money directly from TikTok when your videos get watched, rather than relying only on brand deals or gifts from viewers. The payment comes from TikTok's own budget, not from other users.

To join, you need to meet four requirements: at least 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, be at least 18 years old, and follow TikTok's Community Guidelines. These rules are the same whether you're in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or France — the countries where the fund currently operates. If you don't meet the view threshold in a month, you stay in the program but earn nothing that month.

The payment rate varies widely. Most creators report earning between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 views, though some report higher or lower amounts. TikTok does not publish its exact formula, so the rate depends on factors like video length, viewer location, and whether viewers watch the whole video or skip partway through.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the last 30 days before you can join the Creator Fund.
  • The program only operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France.
  • TikTok pays based on views, not likes or comments, and the rate per 1,000 views ranges from roughly $0.02 to $0.04 for most creators.
  • You can check your earnings and payout status in the Creator Fund section of your TikTok Studio dashboard.

How to check if you meet the requirements

Open TikTok and go to your profile. Tap the three lines in the top right corner, then select "Creator Fund." TikTok will tell you whether you meet each requirement and how far you are from the threshold if you don't. If you see a message saying you don't meet the requirements, check your follower count and your views from the last 30 days — both numbers update daily.

Your view count resets every 30 days, so if you had 150,000 views last month but only 50,000 this month, you'll drop below the threshold. You stay in the program, but you won't earn money until you hit 100,000 views again in a single 30-day window. The 30-day period runs from the date you first joined, not from the calendar month.

If you're close to 10,000 followers or 100,000 views, keep posting consistently. Creators who post three to five times per week tend to grow faster than those who post once a week or less. The type of content matters too — trending sounds and hashtags help, but consistency beats chasing trends.

The steps to join once you're may be able to access

Once you meet all four requirements, go to your profile and tap the three lines. Select "Creator Fund" and you'll see a button that says "Join." Tap it. TikTok will ask you to agree to the Creator Fund terms, which cover how payments work and what content is allowed. Read through them — they include rules about not posting content that violates TikTok's guidelines, because violations can get you removed from the fund.

After you agree, TikTok will ask for your payment information. You'll need to add a payment method through TikTok's payment partner, which varies by country. In the United States, TikTok uses Stripe. You'll provide your bank account details or connect your existing payment account. This usually takes a few minutes.

Once your payment method is confirmed, you're officially in the Creator Fund. Your videos will start earning money immediately, though you won't see payments until you reach the minimum payout threshold, which is usually $20. Payouts happen monthly, typically between the 20th and 25th of each month.

Where to track your earnings and payments

Open TikTok and go to your profile. Tap the three lines, then select "Creator Fund." You'll see a dashboard showing your current balance, total earnings, and the date of your next payout. This page updates daily and shows you exactly how much you've earned in the current month.

If you don't see a payout date listed, it means you haven't reached the $20 minimum yet. Your earnings will roll over to the next month until you hit that threshold. Once you do, TikTok will process the payment to the bank account or payment method you provided during setup.

You can also see a breakdown of your earnings by video. Tap on "Earnings" to see which of your videos earned the most money. This helps you understand what type of content performs best for the fund — it's not always the same as what gets the most likes.

Why your earnings might be lower than expected

The Creator Fund pays based on views, but not all views count equally. A view from someone in the United States or Canada is worth more than a view from someone in a country with lower advertising rates. If most of your audience is outside these regions, your earnings per view will be lower.

Video length also matters. TikTok prioritizes longer videos in its algorithm, and longer videos tend to earn more because viewers watch more of them. A 15-second video that gets skipped after 5 seconds earns less than a 60-second video that viewers watch completely.

The type of content affects earnings too. Videos in categories with higher advertiser demand — like finance, technology, or business — tend to earn more per view than videos in other categories. This is because advertisers pay TikTok more to reach certain audiences, and TikTok shares some of that with creators.

Finally, the Creator Fund is just one way to earn on TikTok. Many creators make more money from brand deals, affiliate links, or selling products than they do from the fund itself. The fund is a baseline income, not the main revenue source for most successful creators.

What happens if you fall below the requirements

If your follower count drops below 10,000 or your views fall below 100,000 in a 30-day period, you'll be removed from the Creator Fund. TikTok will notify you when this happens. You can rejoin once you meet the requirements again — there's no waiting period or penalty.

If you violate TikTok's Community Guidelines, you can be removed from the fund even if you meet the follower and view requirements. Violations include posting content that's sexually explicit, promotes violence, or breaks copyright rules. You can appeal a removal through TikTok's support system, but the process takes time and isn't always successful.

If you want to leave the Creator Fund voluntarily, you can do so from the same menu where you joined. Go to your profile, tap the three lines, select "Creator Fund," and look for an option to leave. You can rejoin later if you change your mind.

Other ways to earn money on TikTok

The Creator Fund is one option, but it's not the only way to make money on TikTok. TikTok Gifts let viewers send you virtual gifts during live streams, which you can convert to cash. This often pays more per viewer than the Creator Fund, but it requires you to go live regularly and build an audience that wants to support you directly.

Brand partnerships are another major income source. Companies pay creators to feature their products in videos. You can find brand deals through TikTok's Creator Marketplace, which connects creators with brands looking for partnerships. Rates vary widely depending on your follower count and engagement.

Affiliate marketing lets you earn a commission when viewers buy products through links you share. You can join affiliate programs from retailers like Amazon or Shopify and include links in your TikTok bio or video captions. This works best if your content naturally fits with the products you're promoting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get paid after I join the Creator Fund?

You start earning immediately once you're in the program, but you won't receive a payout until you reach $20. Once you hit that threshold, TikTok processes payments monthly, usually between the 20th and 25th of each month. The first payout can take a few weeks after you reach $20 because TikTok verifies your payment information.

Can I be in the Creator Fund in multiple countries?

The Creator Fund only operates in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and France. If you have accounts in multiple countries, you can only earn through the fund in these four. You can still earn through gifts and brand deals in other countries.

What happens to my earnings if I delete a video?

You keep the money you earned from that video before you deleted it. The earnings don't disappear from your account. However, deleting videos can affect your overall view count and engagement, which may impact future earnings.

Is the Creator Fund worth it if I have a small audience?

The Creator Fund pays very little for small audiences — creators with 10,000 to 100,000 followers often earn less than $10 per month. Most creators focus on growing their audience and exploring other income sources like gifts and brand deals, which tend to pay better at smaller scales.

Can I get removed from the Creator Fund for posting controversial content?

Yes, if your content violates TikTok's Community Guidelines, you can be removed from the fund. This includes content that's sexually explicit, promotes illegal activity, or harasses other users. You can appeal the removal, but TikTok's decision is final in most cases.