What are the TikTok Creator Fund eligibility requirements?

This article has been written by our TikTok expert who will tell you what are the most efficient strategies in your niche

How old does an account need to be to qualify for the TikTok Creator Fund?

Your account must belong to someone who is at least 18 years old, or 19 years old if you're applying from South Korea.

This age requirement is tied to your personal age, not your account creation date. TikTok verifies this during the application process through identity verification procedures that cannot be bypassed or falsified.

The age restriction exists because the Creator Fund involves monetary transactions and tax implications that require legal adult status. Minors cannot participate even with parental consent, and attempting to use false age information will result in permanent disqualification from all TikTok monetization programs.

If you're under 18, focus on building your audience and content quality while waiting to become eligible, as this preparation time often leads to stronger applications once you reach the required age.

What's the minimum number of followers required to be eligible?

You need exactly 10,000 followers on your TikTok account to become eligible for the Creator Fund application.

These followers must be organic and genuine - purchased followers, bot accounts, or follow-for-follow schemes can trigger TikTok's fraud detection systems and disqualify your account permanently. TikTok's algorithm analyzes follower authenticity patterns, including engagement rates, account ages, and interaction behaviors.

The 10,000 threshold serves as a baseline indicator that you've built a legitimate audience, but reaching this number doesn't guarantee acceptance. Many creators with 10,000+ followers still get rejected due to other factors like content quality, engagement rates, or community guideline violations.

Focus on creating content that naturally attracts followers rather than pursuing rapid follower growth through questionable methods, as sustainable growth leads to better long-term monetization opportunities.

How many video views are needed over the past 30 days to apply?

You must accumulate at least 100,000 video views within the 30 days immediately preceding your application.

Only views on original content count toward this requirement - reposted videos, shared content, or videos containing copyrighted material are completely excluded from the calculation. TikTok's system automatically tracks these views and updates the count in real-time.

The 30-day rolling window means that older viral videos don't help your current application, emphasizing the need for consistent recent performance. If you had 200,000 views two months ago but only 50,000 in the last 30 days, you won't qualify until you rebuild that momentum.

If you're struggling to identify what content works in your niche, we can help you figure it out.

Track your view count progress through TikTok Analytics to time your application strategically when you're above the threshold with room for fluctuation.

Which countries or regions are supported by the TikTok Creator Fund?

The Creator Fund operates in only 9 countries as of 2025: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, and Spain.

Creators from other countries, including major markets like Canada, Australia, India, and most of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, cannot access the program regardless of their follower count or content quality. This geographic restriction is absolute and cannot be bypassed using VPNs or location spoofing.

The limited availability stems from varying legal frameworks, tax regulations, and payment infrastructure requirements in different countries. TikTok has not announced expansion plans for additional regions, making alternative monetization strategies essential for creators outside these territories.

Creators in unsupported regions should focus on TikTok Shop (where available), brand partnerships, or driving traffic to external platforms where they can monetize their audience through other means.

Does the account need to post original content, or can reposted videos count too?

Only completely original content qualifies for Creator Fund eligibility and earnings - reposted videos, copied content, or any form of plagiarism immediately disqualifies your application.

Original content means you created every element of the video yourself, including filming, editing, voice-over, and any visual components. Using trending sounds or participating in viral challenges is acceptable, but your performance, creativity, and execution must be entirely your own work.

Content that automatically disqualifies includes movie clips, TV show segments, sports broadcasts, news footage, other creators' videos (even with credit), slideshow presentations, and screen recordings of existing content. TikTok's content recognition technology actively scans for these violations.

Not sure why your posts aren't converting? Let us take a look for you.

Even minimal reposting can trigger account flags that prevent future monetization eligibility, making original content creation essential from the beginning of your TikTok journey.

Is there a specific type of content that's more likely to be accepted into the program?

While TikTok doesn't require specific content niches, educational content, tutorials, and highly engaging original videos tend to perform better in both acceptance rates and earnings potential.

Content must be at least one minute long to qualify for the Creator Rewards Program (which has largely replaced the original Creator Fund), eliminating short-form viral content that dominated earlier TikTok monetization. This shift favors creators who can maintain audience attention for longer periods.

Low-quality content formats automatically disqualify applications, including split-screen videos, static slideshows, random compilation clips, simple Q&A formats without substantial value, black screens with text, and basic screen recordings. High production value and genuine creativity significantly improve acceptance odds.

Content that aligns with TikTok's mission of "inspiring joy and creativity" receives preference, meaning positive, educational, or entertaining content outperforms controversial or negative material in the evaluation process.

Are there any community guidelines or policy rules that the account must follow?

Your account must maintain "good standing" with zero recent violations of TikTok's Community Guidelines or Terms of Service to qualify for monetization programs.

Even minor violations like spam comments, inappropriate hashtag usage, or brief policy infractions can disqualify accounts for months. TikTok reviews your entire account history during application processing, not just recent content performance.

Specific behaviors that prevent acceptance include engagement in fraudulent activities (buying views, followers, or likes), repeated copyright violations, harassment or bullying other users, posting misleading information, and using unauthorized automation tools or bots.

Account strikes or temporary restrictions reset your eligibility timeline, often requiring 30-90 days of clean activity before reapplying. Maintaining consistent compliance becomes more important than rapid growth for long-term monetization success.

What kind of engagement metrics affect eligibility or earnings?

Metric Type	Impact on Eligibility	Impact on Earnings
Views	Primary requirement: 100,000+ in 30 days	Direct correlation: $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views
Likes	High like-to-view ratio indicates quality content	Improves algorithm distribution, increasing total views
Comments	Meaningful engagement shows audience connection	Boosts video performance metrics and reach
Shares	Demonstrates content value and virality potential	Significantly multiplies view count through distribution
Watch Time	Completion rates show content quality and relevance	Higher retention = better algorithm promotion = more views
Consistency	Regular posting maintains eligibility requirements	Steady content flow sustains earning potential
Authenticity	Genuine engagement vs. artificial inflation	Organic metrics lead to sustainable long-term income

Can a business or brand account join the Creator Fund, or is it only for individuals?

Only personal accounts can access the Creator Fund - business accounts, political organizations, and government entities are completely excluded from all TikTok monetization programs.

This restriction applies even if your business account meets all other requirements including follower count, view thresholds, and content quality standards. The exclusion is absolute and cannot be appealed or bypassed through any means.

Business accounts must explore alternative monetization strategies including TikTok Shop integration, Creator Marketplace partnerships, sponsored content deals, and driving traffic to external platforms where they can convert audiences into customers.

If you feel like your content isn't getting enough engagement, we can help improve that.

Switching from business to personal account type may restore Creator Fund eligibility, but this process erases business-specific features like detailed analytics, contact information, and advertising capabilities that many brands require for their social media strategy.

Is there a minimum age requirement to apply for the fund?

The minimum age requirement is 18 years old globally, with the exception of South Korea where applicants must be at least 19 years old.

This age verification occurs during the application process and requires government-issued identification that matches your account information exactly. Discrepancies between your stated age and official documents result in immediate disqualification.

The age requirement exists because Creator Fund participation involves legal contracts, tax obligations, and financial transactions that require full legal capacity. Minors cannot participate even with parental permission or guardian consent.

Attempting to falsify age information leads to permanent suspension from all TikTok monetization programs, making patience until reaching eligible age the only viable strategy for younger creators.

How can someone apply or where is the Creator Fund section located inside the TikTok app?

Access the Creator Fund through your Profile menu by tapping the three horizontal lines, selecting Creator Tools, then choosing Creator Fund or Creator Rewards Program.

1. Open TikTok and navigate to your profile page by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right corner
2. Tap the menu button (three horizontal lines or hamburger icon) located in the top right corner of your profile
3. Scroll down and select "Creator Tools" from the menu options
4. Look for "Creator Fund" or "Creator Rewards Program" depending on your region and eligibility
5. Read through the complete terms and conditions before accepting the agreement

The application process includes identity verification, bank account setup for payments, and agreement to TikTok's creator policies. If these menu options don't appear, your account likely doesn't meet basic eligibility requirements.

When in doubt about what to post, we've got your back.

Applications are processed within 1-7 business days, and rejected applicants must wait 30 days before reapplying with improved metrics or resolved account issues.

Once accepted, how and when does TikTok pay out the Creator Fund earnings?

TikTok processes Creator Fund payments monthly, with a mandatory 30-day waiting period after the month in which earnings were generated, requiring a minimum $50 withdrawal threshold.

Payment processing follows this timeline: earnings from January become available for withdrawal in early March, February earnings in early April, and so forth. This delay allows TikTok to verify view authenticity and process any disputes or adjustments.

Supported payment methods include PayPal and Zelle in most regions, though specific options vary by country. Bank account information must match your verified identity documents exactly, and changes to payment details require additional verification periods.

Earnings track in real-time through the Creator Fund Dashboard within the app, showing daily view counts, estimated earnings, and payment history. However, final payment amounts may differ slightly from estimates due to view validation and quality adjustments.

Failed payments due to incorrect banking information or account issues can delay payments by additional 30-60 days, making accurate setup crucial for consistent income flow.

Conclusion

Sources

1. Captions AI - TikTok Creator Fund
2. TikTok Support - Creator Rewards Program
3. Supliful - TikTok Monetization Requirements
4. Metricool - TikTok Creativity Program
5. Syllaby - TikTok Monetization Requirements
6. Lickd - TikTok Creator Fund Advice
7. Oberlo - Creator Fund Guide
8. Vista Social - TikTok Creator Fund Insights
9. TikTok Creator Academy - Creator Rewards
10. TikTok Support - Creator Fund US

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.

How this content was created 🔎📝

At Napolify, we analyze social media trends and viral content every day. Our team doesn't just observe from a distance—we're actively studying platform-specific patterns, breaking down viral posts, and maintaining a constantly updated database of trends, tactics, and strategies. This hands-on approach allows us to understand what actually drives engagement and growth.

These observations are originally based on what we've learned through analyzing hundreds of viral posts and real-world performance data. But it was not enough. To back them up, we also needed to rely on trusted resources and case studies from major brands.

We prioritize accuracy and authority. Trends lacking solid data or performance metrics were excluded.

Trustworthiness is central to our work. Every source and citation is clearly listed, ensuring transparency. A writing AI-powered tool was used solely to refine readability and engagement.

To make the information accessible, our team designed custom infographics that clarify key points. We hope you will like them! All illustrations and media were created in-house and added manually.