TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app that has exploded in popularity in recent years. TikTok enables users to create and share 15 to 60 second videos on any topic. The app has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide as of 2022.
In 2020, TikTok launched the Creator Fund as a way to provide financial support to top creators on the platform. The fund allows popular TikTokers to earn money from their videos. TikTok sets aside a certain amount of money each year for the fund.
This article will provide an overview of the TikTok Creator Fund, explaining the eligibility requirements, how earnings are calculated, estimated payouts, payment structure, and other factors that impact how much money creators can earn. The article will also cover other monetization options on TikTok beyond the Creator Fund.
What is the TikTok Creator Fund?
The TikTok Creator Fund is a program launched by TikTok in 2020 to reward and support creators on the platform for producing original and high-quality videos. According to TikTok, the Creator Fund aims to “support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content” (https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/getting-paid-to-create/creator-fund/).
The fund provides creators with a monetary incentive to continue posting great content on TikTok. Accepted creators can earn money based on the engagement and views their videos receive in a month. This gives video creators on TikTok a way to potentially earn income directly from the platform, beyond just sponsored content deals and other monetization methods.
According to TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/getting-paid-to-create/creator-fund/), the Creator Fund aims to “bring more value to [the TikTok] community” by rewarding creators financially for doing what they love.
Who is Eligible for the Fund?
To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund, creators must meet certain requirements. According to TikTok’s Creator Fund Terms, eligible creators must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Have an account that fits with TikTok’s community values and content guidelines
The Creator Fund is currently only available in select countries. As of early 2023, TikTok states the Fund is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and more [1]. To qualify, creators must be residents of an eligible country.
TikTok reviews all Creator Fund applications to ensure creators meet these baseline eligibility criteria. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee acceptance, as TikTok ultimately decides who is accepted and reserves the right to remove creators from the Fund at any time.
How Much Does TikTok Pay per View?
According to The Leap, top creators have reported that TikTok pays between $0.02 and $0.04 per 1,000 video views through the Creator Fund [1]. This means creators can expect to earn $2 to $4 per 100,000 views. The exact rate varies based on factors like the creator’s country and content category.
For example, TikTok content creators in the United States tend to earn around $0.02 per 1,000 video views. Meanwhile, creators in other countries may earn slightly higher or lower rates. Rates also vary by content category. Videos in categories like gaming and comedy tend to earn higher rates than other categories.
The pay per view rate is not publicized by TikTok and subject to change. But based on creator reports, a general range of $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views represents typical earnings for views through the TikTok Creator Fund.
Estimated Earnings for 1 Million Views
The amount paid out by the TikTok Creator Fund varies depending on the region where the views come from. Here are some estimates for earnings from 1 million views:
United States: According to surveys of TikTok creators, earnings for 1 million views from the US tend to range from $200-400. With an average CPM of $0.28, 1 million views would result in estimated earnings of around $280.
Europe: For views from Europe, estimated earnings for 1 million views fall between $150-300. With a lower average CPM of $0.18, 1 million European views would bring in around $180.
Other regions: Countries like Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, and Argentina pay out less per view compared to the US and Europe. Estimated earnings for 1 million views from these regions is $80-200. An average CPM of $0.12 would net approximately $120 for 1 million views.
TikTok’s Payment Structure
TikTok calculates Creator Fund payments based on a number of factors. The main one is views – creators earn a certain amount per 1,000 video views. However, TikTok does not disclose the exact rate per 1,000 views. Estimates from creators range from $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views.
TikTok also takes into account factors like which country views are coming from and platform (iOS vs Android). Views from developed markets like the US and Europe tend to be worth more. There are also minimum viewer and engagement thresholds creators must reach before receiving payment.
Payments are issued on a monthly basis and have a $10 minimum threshold. Funds accrued in one month are paid out on the 15th of the following month. For example, earnings from June will be paid out on July 15th. TikTok deducts taxes before issuing Creator Fund payments.
To receive payment, creators must link a bank account or PayPal account in the app. Payments are then deposited directly on a monthly basis.
So in summary, TikTok’s opaque payment formula relies on view count, viewer geography, engagement, and platform to determine how much creators earn each month from the Creator Fund.
Other Factors Impacting Earnings
The amount creators earn from the TikTok Creator Fund is not solely determined by view count. Other factors impact potential earnings, including:
Engagement – Videos that generate more likes, comments, and shares tend to be rewarded with higher earnings per view. TikTok wants to incentivize content that sparks conversation.
Video completion rate – Creators earn more when viewers watch a high percentage of the video instead of clicking away halfway through. Completion rate signals content quality.
Account standing – Accounts in good standing with no violations of TikTok’s community guidelines are prioritized by the Creator Fund.
Content quality – Well-produced videos with good lighting, editing, and compelling visuals tend to be compensated better than hastily created content.
Overall demand – More advertiser demand on TikTok means more money available to distribute to creators. Earnings fluctuate seasonally.
Ad rates – The rates charged by TikTok to advertisers looking to promote content also impact Creator Fund payouts.
Maximizing Creator Fund Earnings
While the amount earned through the TikTok Creator Fund depends largely on views and engagement, there are some best practices creators can follow to maximize their earnings:
- Produce high quality content consistently – Creating entertaining and informative videos that align with TikTok’s content guidelines will help get more views.
- Optimize videos for discovery – Using relevant hashtags, captions, sounds, and challenges can help videos reach a larger audience.
- Engage with your audience – Reply to comments, do live streams, collaborate with other creators to build a loyal following.
- Analyze performance data – Check analytics to see top videos and make more content that resonates with your audience.
- Post at optimal times – According to Sprout Social, the best times to post on TikTok are early morning, late afternoon, and late evening.
- Create “evergreen” content – Make videos that continue to attract views long after being posted.
- Max out daily posts – Posting the maximum of 6 videos per day can result in more views.
- Go viral – Creating viral video content can significantly boost views and earnings.
Following TikTok best practices and consistently creating high-quality content is key for creators to maximize earnings from the TikTok Creator Fund.
Other TikTok Monetization Options
Outside the Creator Fund, there are various other ways for TikTok creators to earn money on the platform.
One popular option is seeking out brand sponsorships and partnerships. Brands may pay TikTok creators to promote products or services through sponsored content. The exact amount can vary greatly depending on the influencer’s reach and niche. Micro-influencers with tens of thousands of followers may earn a few hundred dollars, while celebrities with millions of followers can earn thousands per sponsored post.
TikTok LIVE gifts are another monetization method, allowing viewers to pay to send virtual gifts to creators during live streams. There are over a dozen different gifts ranging from 5 cents to $500 in value. TikTok takes a cut but creators can earn real money from the gifted amounts.[1]
Some brands may also pay creators for product placement in non-sponsored videos. Additionally, talented creators can earn income related to their TikTok content outside of the app, such as merchandise sales, YouTube ad revenue, or selling services related to their niche.
While the Creator Fund provides a relatively passive income stream, these additional options allow innovative TikTok creators to maximize their earnings through direct partnerships and fan funding.
Conclusion
The TikTok Creator Fund provides an opportunity for top creators to earn money directly from TikTok based on the views and engagement of their content. While exact earnings per view vary, most estimates put earnings in the range of $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views. For a video with 1 million views, that would translate to estimated earnings between $20 and $40 from the Creator Fund.
The actual amount earned depends on factors like location, content category, engagement, and seasonality. TikTok does not disclose the exact payment formula, but aims to reward creators who post high-quality, engaging content daily. To maximize earnings, creators can focus on producing original content in popular categories, using relevant keywords, collaborating with other top creators, and driving consistent viewership through promotions.
While the Creator Fund provides a baseline for monetization, creators have many options like sponsorships, tipping, e-commerce, and live streaming to further monetize their TikTok audience. Overall, the Creator Fund gives creators a reliable way to earn from TikTok, but should be seen as one revenue stream within a diversified monetization strategy.
The key takeaways are:
- The TikTok Creator Fund pays an estimated $0.02 – $0.04 per 1,000 video views
- Earnings for 1 million views likely range between $20 – $40
- Actual earnings depend on content category, engagement, location, and other factors
- Posting consistently, collaborating, and optimizing content can maximize earnings
- Creators should pursue multiple monetization avenues beyond the Creator Fund