What is the TikTok Creator Fund?
The TikTok Creator Fund is a program launched by TikTok in 2020 to pay creators for videos posted on the platform (https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/getting-paid-to-create/creator-fund/). It is designed to encourage creators to produce high-quality content that brings value to the TikTok community.
Through the fund, TikTok distributes over $1 billion to creators. The amount each creator earns depends on the views, engagement, and overall performance of their videos. The program allows creators to earn an income from making TikTok videos, providing financial support to help them create content full-time.
The Creator Fund aims to foster creativity and expression on TikTok. By financially rewarding creators for quality content, TikTok hopes to inspire its community to produce original and entertaining videos for the platform.
Is the TikTok Creator Fund available in Canada?
The TikTok Creator Fund was originally launched in 2020 in select countries like the United States and United Kingdom. However, TikTok expanded the program’s availability to more countries like Canada in 2021 (https://www.tiktok.com/find/tiktok-creator-fund-in-canada-2024). This means that Canadian TikTok creators are now eligible to apply for the Creator Fund and earn money from their videos.
TikTok confirmed the Creator Fund’s launch in Canada in July 2021, marking its expansion beyond the initial six countries it was available in. The Creator Fund aims to provide monetary support to top creators on the platform who produce original content. With the fund being available in Canada, Canadian TikTok stars can now supplement their earnings through ad revenue sharing with TikTok.
Who is eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund in Canada?
To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund in Canada, creators must meet certain requirements:
First, creators must be 18 years or older and located in Canada.
Additionally, creators need at least 10,000 authentic followers on their TikTok account. This ensures they have an established audience to view their content.
Finally, creators must post original videos that align with TikTok’s community guidelines. Simply reposting others’ content or using copyrighted material will not qualify.
According to TikTok’s Creator Fund portal, “Only public videos created and owned by you – not private videos or content you’ve reposted from elsewhere – are eligible for the Creator Fund.”[1]
Meeting these requirements allows Canadian creators to apply and potentially earn money from the TikTok Creator Fund for their original content.
How much can Canadian creators earn?
Canadian creators participating in the TikTok Creator Fund can earn money based on the number of views and engagement their videos receive. According to https://www.stocktrades.ca/how-to-make-money-on-tiktok/, creators typically earn between two and four cents (CAD) per thousand video views. So if a video gets 100,000 views, the creator would earn between $2-4 from that video.
Earnings per view can vary quite a bit depending on factors like a creator’s niche, audience demographics, and content quality. But in general, earnings range from a few cents per thousand views on the low end to a few dollars per thousand views for top creators.
The most popular Canadian TikTokers with millions of engaged followers can earn thousands of dollars per month through the TikTok Creator Fund. But smaller creators just getting started will likely only earn a few dollars until their view counts increase.
How do creators apply for the fund in Canada?
The TikTok Creator Fund in Canada is open to application through the TikTok app. To apply, creators need to:
- Submit their TikTok profile for review through the application in the app. TikTok reviews the account to ensure it meets the program guidelines.
- If approved, the creator will receive a notification in their app inbox that they have been accepted into the program.
The application is only available directly within the TikTok app, it is not possible to apply through the TikTok website. The fund is open to emerging and established creators in Canada who consistently post original, quality content that compiles with the TikTok community guidelines.
What are the content guidelines for monetization?
To be eligible for the TikTok Creator Fund, creators in Canada need to follow specific content guidelines. According to TikTok’s Creator Fund Terms (https://www.tiktok.com/legal/tiktok-creator-fund-terms), creators must:
- Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service.
- Post original, high-quality content that provides value to viewers.
- Avoid posting spam, clickbait, or repetitive content just for views.
TikTok wants creators who not only grow an engaged following, but do so while adhering to platform policies. By rewarding creators who follow guidelines and avoid policy violations, TikTok aims to cultivate a ecosystem of authentic, entertaining content.
How are earnings calculated?
Earnings from the TikTok Creator Fund are calculated based on a combination of factors including video views, engagement, and local market dynamics. The formula takes into account metrics like length of video, shares, comments, and likes. The aim is to reward creators for posting content that resonates with and engages their audience.
In particular, longer videos that are over 1 minute tend to earn more than shorter clips. TheCreator Fund compensates creators based on the time users engage with their content. Videos that prompt comments and shares also tend to earn more. There are bonuses for viral videos that garner high view counts.
Local market dynamics also influence earnings calculations. Factors like the device, operating systems, and browsers used by an audience impact payouts. For example, Canadian iOS users tend to generate more revenue per view compared to Android users. The Creator Fund aims to optimize payouts based on local market nuances.
Overall, the TikTok Creator Fund rewards creators who produce high quality, engaging videos that resonate with their target audience and prompt meaningful engagement. Focusing on video length, shares, comments, and tailoring content to your local followers are key ways to maximize earnings.
How and when are payments made?
The TikTok Creator Fund pays out monthly via bank transfer. Creators must earn a minimum of $100 USD in advertising earnings before TikTok will issue a payout. According to the TikTok Creator Fund Terms, payouts are made on or about the 30th day following the calendar month in which the advertising fees were accrued.
For example, if a Canadian creator earns $150 CAD in advertising fees in January, TikTok will issue the payout on or around March 1st. Payouts are made in the creator’s local currency based on a conversion from USD using the foreign exchange rate on the day the payout is processed.
TikTok provides estimated earnings in creator dashboards about three days after views are accrued, according to their Creator Portal. However, creators must wait until the monthly payout date to receive the funds in their bank account.
Are there any contractual obligations?
There are no exclusivity requirements for joining the TikTok Creator Fund in Canada. Creators can post videos on other platforms and earn revenue elsewhere. However, by joining the fund, creators do license TikTok to display their content on the platform.
According to TikTok’s Creator Fund Terms, “Creator grants TikTok a nonexclusive license to the Content for the purpose of displaying, distributing, promoting, and monetizing the Content on the TikTok platform.” This allows TikTok to use a creator’s videos in accordance with the platform’s terms of service and community guidelines.
The agreement is non-exclusive, so creators retain ownership of their content and can continue posting it on other platforms if they choose. But they allow TikTok certain rights to distribute and monetize it according to the Creator Fund terms.
Pros and cons of the TikTok Creator Fund
The TikTok Creator Fund offers both advantages and disadvantages for creators looking to monetize their content. On the plus side, the Fund provides a way for creators to earn money directly from TikTok based on their views and engagement. This incentivizes creators to continue producing high-quality content that resonates with viewers. According to Hootsuite, the Creator Fund motivates creators to be more consistent and creative with their videos in order to maximize earnings.
However, there are also some downsides to weigh when considering the Creator Fund. The program faces stiff competition from other top creators, making it difficult to get views and engagement. Earnings are also inconsistent and unpredictable, with payments depending on how many views your content receives each month compared to other creators (Hootsuite, 2022). Overall earnings from the Fund tend to be lower compared to running ads or partnering directly with brands (Klear, 2023).
In summary, while the Creator Fund provides a monetization avenue, creators have to weigh the pros of earning from TikTok directly versus the cons of unpredictable pay and high competition (Sprout Social). For newer creators, it can be a useful way to start earning, but for more established names, other options may be more lucrative.
