TikTok Rewards Program vs. TikTok Creator Fund
You’ve probably heard of the TikTok Creator Fund and the new TikTok Rewards Program. However, the difference between them isn’t always clear. TikTok has quietly phased out the old TikTok Creator Fund and has since introduced a new rewards system. This has left many creators wondering what actually changed.
While the TikTok Creator Fund served the same purpose as the new TikTok Rewards Program, their working mechanisms are entirely different. The old fund was primarily focused on viral views alone. The new system focuses more on quality, engagement, and longer videos. Let’s break down what’s new, why TikTok made the switch, and what it means for your earnings!
What Was The TikTok Creator Fund?
The TikTok Creator Fund, launched in 2020, was TikTok’s first major attempt to pay creators for their content. At first, it promised to distribute a pool of funds based on video views, engagement, and consistency. Initially, it sounded like a dream for content creators and was quite simple. Get views, get paid. But over time, many realized the payouts were surprisingly low.
Unfortunately, the TikTok Creator Fund failed to scale with TikTok’s explosive growth. This caused payments to remain small, regardless of how popular your account became. After years of feedback and frustration from creators, TikTok officially discontinued the Creator Fund in 2023, making way for a new and improved system designed to better reward its creators.
What Is The TikTok Rewards Program?
The TikTok Rewards Program is the new way creators earn on TikTok, and it’s a big upgrade! Replacing the old fund in 2023, this program can pay up to 20 times more than before, thanks to a new rewards formula that values quality over quick views.
To qualify, your videos need to be original, high-quality, and at least one minute long. TikTok now considers watch time, engagement, and audience interaction, rather than just view counts. This shift rewards creators who produce meaningful, long-form content, transforming creativity into tangible earnings.
Why TikTok Made The Switch
TikTok’s move from the TikTok Creator Fund to the TikTok Rewards Program ultimately came down to creator frustration. The original Creator Fund left creators feeling like their hard work was going unrecognized. At the same time, competitors like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels were offering more appealing ways to monetize content.
These platforms are only as good as their content creators, so staying competitive and keeping creators motivated is a high priority. That’s why TikTok launched the Creator Rewards Program to help creators earn more and push the platform toward more meaningful, story-driven content.
What This Means for TikTok Creators
The switch from the Creator Fund to the TikTok Rewards Program is all about helping content creators get more juice from the squeeze. Instead of tiny payouts for viral hits, TikTok now rewards creators in a more lucrative way. The main takeaway here is that by making your content count and keeping your audience hooked, you’ll see your social efforts pay off like never before.
Who Is Eligible to Join The TikTok Rewards Program?
Not every TikTok account can start bringing in rewards, but if you meet the right criteria, the TikTok Reward Program is built to help you turn your creativity into cash. Think of this program as TikTok’s way of saying, “We want serious, original creators who play by the rules, and we’ll pay you more for it.”
Here’s what you need to qualify:
- Be in a country where the program is available
- Have a TikTok account in good standing with no repeated guideline violations
- Have a personal account, as business and political accounts are ineligible
- Keep your profile info authentic with no fake details
- Be 18+
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
- Create videos that are at least one minute long.
How are Rewards Calculated?
One of the greatest differences between the TikTok Creator Fund and the Creator Rewards Program is how payouts are calculated. Under the old fund, creators were mainly paid based on views and from a set pool of money, which often meant even viral videos didn’t earn much revenue. The new fund flips the script by rewarding views, quality, and engagement.
Eligible videos now start earning once they hit 1,000 qualified “For You” feed views. From there, TikTok calculates two types of rewards:
- Standard Rewards: Based on qualified views and a per-1000 views rate (RPM).
- Additional Reward: Extra earnings for content that’s well-crafted, engaging, and specialized. This allows creators to earn more for their thoughtful, high-quality videos.
This new system makes it easier for creators to get more value from every video by rewarding substance over sheer virality and motivating creators to focus on quality, storytelling, and audience interactions.
How To Join The TikTok Rewards Program
Now that you’ve got a solid handle on how the TikTok Rewards Program differs from the old TikTok Creator Fund, you’re probably wondering how to actually get in on the action. Thankfully, joining is simple. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply right through the TikTok app in just a few taps.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open TikTok and head to your profile.
- Tap the menu (☰) in the top corner and select TikTok Studio.
- Choose Creator Rewards Program, then submit your application.
TikTok usually reviews applications within three days, so you won’t have to wait too long for a reply. Just be sure your account info is accurate and follows TikTok’s community guidelines and terms of service. If you’re not accepted the first time, you can appeal within 30 days or reapply later. Once approved, you’ll join TikTok’s new era of creator monetization, one that truly rewards creativity and consistency.
A Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | TikTok Creator Fund | TikTok Reward Program |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2020 | 2023-2024 |
| Status | Discontinued | Active |
| Video Length Focus | Any | 1 Minute or Longer |
| Payment Basis | From Fixed $1B Pool | Based on Engagement + Quality Metrics |
| Average Earnings | Very Low (Pennies per 1k Views) | Higher and Scalable |
| Goal | Reward Popular Content | Reward Valuable, Watchable Content |
| Transparency | Limited | Improved Payout Structure |
TikTok Rewards Program FAQ’s
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