What are the latest TikTok monetization policy changes?

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What exactly changed in TikTok's official monetization policies in 2025?

TikTok officially discontinued the Creator Fund and launched the Creator Rewards Program with substantially higher eligibility requirements and earning potential.

The Creator Rewards Program requires creators to have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days, compared to the previous 1,000 followers and 10,000 views. Only personal accounts are now eligible, excluding business accounts entirely.

Videos must be at least one minute long and completely original to qualify for payouts. Duets, Stitches, and Photo Mode content are no longer monetizable under the main program. The platform introduced a Content ID system allowing creators to earn revenue when others use their original audio, similar to YouTube's model.

Revenue per mille (RPM) rates increased dramatically from $0.02-$0.04 to $0.40-$1.00 per 1,000 qualified views. TikTok also launched Project Phoenix, an algorithm update prioritizing video completion rates and engagement depth over pure view counts.

Geographic restrictions now limit monetization to seven countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil.

Which rumored monetization changes are circulating but not yet officially confirmed?

Several monetization features are being tested or rumored but lack official confirmation from TikTok.

TikTok Pulse expansion is heavily speculated, with creators expecting broader eligibility beyond the current 10,000 followers and 50,000 monthly views requirement. Industry insiders suggest the program may extend to smaller creators and additional content categories.

More granular content category bonuses are rumored for specialized niches like health, finance, and technology content. Currently, only educational and tutorial content receives confirmed bonus payments, but creators report testing notifications for other verticals.

AI-generated content restrictions represent the most controversial unconfirmed change. Some creators speculate that TikTok may implement stricter policies against AI-generated music and video content, though no official policy has been announced. The platform's current stance focuses on requiring disclosure rather than prohibition.

Enhanced creator verification processes and expanded subscription tiers are also being discussed in creator communities, but TikTok has not provided timeline details.

What used to be monetizable content but no longer qualifies under the 2025 updates?

The 2025 updates eliminated monetization for several previously qualifying content types, fundamentally changing what creators can earn from.

What monetization features were added or expanded in 2025 for creators?

TikTok introduced multiple new monetization tools while significantly expanding existing programs throughout 2025.

The Creator Rewards Program offers enhanced analytics with individual video RPM tracking and qualified view breakdowns. Creators now access detailed performance insights including view trends, audience engagement patterns, and earnings projections.

TikTok Shop integration deepened considerably, allowing creators to tag products directly in videos and livestreams. The affiliate commission structure expanded with rates up to 20% for high-performing creators in select categories.

TikTok Series enables creators to offer premium content collections with up to 80 videos per series, each up to 20 minutes long. Pricing ranges from $0.99 to $189.99, providing substantial revenue potential for educational and entertainment content.

The Specialized Rewards Program launched as an invite-only initiative targeting creators in Film/TV, Learning, Sports, and Automotive niches. Participants receive additional bonuses on top of standard Creator Rewards Program earnings.

Video Gifts expanded beyond live streams to regular video content, allowing viewers to tip creators on any qualifying video. The minimum follower requirement for receiving video gifts decreased from 100,000 to 10,000 followers.

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How has the eligibility criteria changed for TikTok's Creator Fund or Creativity Program?

The eligibility transformation from Creator Fund to Creator Rewards Program represents the most dramatic threshold increase in social media monetization history.

Follower requirements jumped from 1,000 to 10,000, while view requirements increased tenfold from 10,000 to 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. Age requirements remain at 18+ (19+ in South Korea).

Geographic restrictions tightened significantly. The program now operates exclusively in seven countries: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Brazil. Creators using VPNs or providing false location information face permanent bans.

Account type limitations now exclude business accounts, political organizations, and government entities. Only personal creator accounts in good standing qualify. Additionally, accounts with any community guideline violations in the past 30 days face automatic disqualification.

Content quality standards intensified dramatically. Videos must be entirely original, at least one minute long, and demonstrate clear value through entertainment, education, or creativity. TikTok's AI moderation system actively detects and removes recycled, AI-generated, or low-effort content from monetization consideration.

What is the new direction TikTok seems to be taking based on recent monetization trends?

TikTok's strategic direction clearly prioritizes longer-form, higher-quality content while building a comprehensive creator economy ecosystem.

The platform is positioning itself as a direct YouTube competitor by incentivizing videos over one minute long. Internal data shows users now spend 50% of their TikTok time watching longer-form content, driving this strategic shift.

Niche expertise and authority have become central to TikTok's creator strategy. The algorithm now identifies and promotes "Subject Matter Experts" who consistently post high-quality content in specific categories. These SME-tagged accounts receive up to 48% more organic reach.

E-commerce integration represents TikTok's biggest growth focus. TikTok Shop, affiliate marketing tools, and product tagging features are becoming core platform elements rather than supplementary features. The platform aims to create a seamless entertainment-to-purchase experience.

Transparency and creator trust have become priorities following years of creator complaints about opaque monetization systems. The new Creator Rewards dashboard provides unprecedented insight into earnings calculations, view qualification, and performance metrics.

Geographic expansion plans suggest TikTok is testing monetization frameworks for additional markets while maintaining strict compliance with local regulations.

What content formats or strategies are now favored more by the algorithm after the policy updates?

The algorithm overhaul fundamentally transformed which content types receive priority distribution and monetization opportunities.

• Videos longer than one minute receive 2.3x more algorithmic weight and are exclusively eligible for Creator Rewards Program payouts
• High completion rate content gets prioritized, with videos watched to completion receiving significantly more reach than those with early drop-offs
• Niche authority content from creators who consistently post in specific categories receives algorithmic boosts and SME status recognition
• Search-optimized content that answers user questions or provides valuable information performs better as TikTok evolves into a search engine
• Loop-worthy content with strong hooks and engaging endings that encourage rewatching gets amplified by the algorithm
• Educational and tutorial content in categories like cooking, DIY, learning, and sports receive bonus monetization opportunities
• Original audio content now benefits from the Content ID system, allowing creators to earn when their sounds go viral
• Interactive content that generates meaningful comments, shares, and discussions receives higher engagement scores

What types of content are now less likely to generate revenue or get visibility on TikTok?

The algorithm actively deprioritizes or completely excludes certain content types from monetization and visibility.

Short-form videos under one minute face severe algorithmic penalties and complete monetization exclusion. These videos may still appear in feeds but receive significantly reduced reach compared to longer content.

Recycled content, reposts, and compilations face immediate algorithmic suppression. TikTok's AI systems can detect content copied from other platforms or creators, resulting in reduced visibility and monetization disqualification.

Clickbait content with misleading titles, thumbnails, or promises experiences sharp reach reductions. The algorithm now prioritizes content that delivers on its initial promise to viewers.

Low-engagement content that fails to generate meaningful interactions within the first few hours receives reduced distribution. Videos with high skip rates or "not interested" feedback face algorithmic penalties.

Content violating any community guidelines, even minor infractions, faces immediate monetization suspension and potential account penalties. The platform maintains a zero-tolerance approach for creators in monetization programs.

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How can creators adapt their content strategies to align with the 2025 monetization changes?

Successful adaptation requires fundamental shifts in content creation, posting strategy, and audience engagement approaches.

Focus exclusively on creating original videos longer than one minute with compelling storytelling and high retention rates. Use strong opening hooks within the first 3 seconds and strategic pacing to maintain viewer attention throughout the entire video length.

Develop expertise in a specific niche to gain Subject Matter Expert status and algorithmic preferences. Consistently post content in one primary category while incorporating trending audio and hashtags relevant to your expertise area.

Optimize content for search by incorporating relevant keywords in captions, answering common questions in your niche, and creating educational value that users actively seek. TikTok's search functionality increasingly drives content discovery.

Integrate TikTok Shop elements naturally into content by demonstrating products, sharing reviews, or creating tutorials. The platform rewards creators who successfully bridge entertainment and commerce without appearing overly promotional.

Maintain strict compliance with community guidelines and avoid any content that could trigger violations. Regularly review TikTok's updated policies and err on the side of caution when creating potentially sensitive content.

Build authentic engagement by responding to comments, creating content based on audience requests, and fostering genuine community connections rather than pursuing vanity metrics.

What tools or features should creators use more to take full advantage of the latest updates?

TikTok's expanded creator toolkit offers sophisticated analytics and monetization features that require strategic utilization.

What risks or account penalties should creators now be more cautious about with monetization?

The 2025 policy changes introduced stricter enforcement mechanisms and severe penalties for violations that can permanently impact creator earning potential.

Community guideline violations result in immediate monetization suspension and potential permanent program exclusion. Even minor infractions that previously received warnings now trigger automatic penalties for creators in monetization programs.

Content format violations, such as posting videos under one minute or including Duets in monetization attempts, can lead to program warnings and temporary earning suspensions. Repeated format violations result in permanent disqualification.

Geographic compliance violations, including VPN use or location misrepresentation, trigger immediate account bans without appeal options. TikTok actively monitors IP addresses and device locations to detect circumvention attempts.

Artificial engagement activities, including purchased followers, bot interactions, or engagement pods, result in algorithmic penalties and monetization program removal. TikTok's AI systems can detect unnatural engagement patterns with increasing accuracy.

Copyright violations through unauthorized music use, content theft, or trademark infringement lead to immediate content removal and revenue clawbacks. Creators must verify all audio and visual elements comply with usage rights.

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What do these 2025 changes suggest about TikTok's overall monetization roadmap and future direction?

TikTok's 2025 monetization overhaul signals a fundamental platform evolution toward professionalization and sustainable creator economics.

The platform is transitioning from a pure entertainment app to a comprehensive creator economy ecosystem combining social media, e-commerce, and content monetization. This shift positions TikTok as a direct competitor to YouTube, Instagram, and traditional e-commerce platforms.

Quality over quantity has become the core philosophy, with algorithmic and policy changes consistently favoring creators who produce high-value, original content rather than those focused on viral trends or high posting frequency.

Global expansion with regional compliance appears central to TikTok's strategy. The limited geographic availability suggests the platform is developing monetization frameworks that can adapt to various regulatory environments while maintaining creator earning potential.

Diversified revenue streams indicate TikTok's intention to provide creators with multiple income sources beyond traditional ad revenue sharing. The integration of e-commerce, subscriptions, tipping, and brand partnerships creates a comprehensive creator business model.

Enhanced transparency and creator tools suggest TikTok recognizes the importance of creator trust and satisfaction for long-term platform success. The detailed analytics and clear monetization criteria represent significant improvements over previous opacity.

The emphasis on niche expertise and subject matter authority indicates TikTok's evolution toward becoming a search and discovery platform where creators build sustainable audiences through valuable, topic-focused content rather than viral entertainment alone.

Conclusion

Sources

1. TikTok Creator Rewards Program Official Documentation
2. TikTok Newsroom - Creator Rewards Program Announcement
3. TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms and Conditions
4. Metricool TikTok Creator Rewards Program Guide
5. Supliful TikTok Monetization Requirements 2025
6. Social Media Today - TikTok Specialized Rewards Program
7. Buffer TikTok Creator Rewards Program Analysis
8. Sprout Social TikTok Monetization Guide 2025
9. Social Champ TikTok Monetization Strategies
10. TikTok Community Guidelines and Monetization Policies

Who is the author of this content?

NAPOLIFY

A team specialized in data-driven growth strategies for social media

We offer data-driven, battle-tested approach to growing online profiles, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Unlike traditional agencies or consultants who often recycle generic advice, we go on the field and we keep analyzing real-world social content—breaking down hundreds of viral posts to identify what formats, hooks, and strategies actually drive engagement, conversions, and growth. If you'd like to learn more about us, you can check our website.