If you’ve been searching for how to join the TikTok Creator Fund, you’re in the right place — though the program has a new name. TikTok has replaced the original Creator Fund with the Creator Rewards Program in most major markets, and the application process, eligibility rules, and earning potential have all changed. Here’s everything you need to know to apply today.
Is the TikTok Creator Fund Still Active?
The short answer: the original TikTok Creator Fund has been phased out in most major markets and replaced by the TikTok Creator Rewards Program — previously known as the Creativity Program Beta. If you’re in the US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, or Brazil, this newer program is what you’ll be applying for.
The key differences matter. The Creator Rewards Program raises the eligibility bar compared to the old Creator Fund, but it also offers significantly better RPM (revenue per thousand views) potential. It also shifts focus toward longer-form content — videos must be at least one minute long to qualify for monetization under the new program.
Note: You’ll still find plenty of search results and forum posts referring to the “TikTok Creator Fund.” That’s the old program name. The Creator Rewards Program is its direct replacement — if someone tells you how to join the Creator Fund, the steps and eligibility rules they’re describing now apply to the Creator Rewards Program.
TikTok Creator Rewards Program Eligibility Requirements
Before you open the app, run through this checklist. TikTok won’t show you the application option unless every requirement is met — so knowing exactly where you stand saves frustration.
You must meet all of the following:
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✅ Age: 18 years or older
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✅ Followers: At least 10,000 followers
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✅ Video views: At least 100,000 video views in the past 30 days
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✅ Account type: A personal account (not a business account — this is one of the most common blockers)
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✅ Account standing: No active Community Guidelines violations or strikes
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✅ Region: Based in an eligible country (see list below)
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✅ Original content: Videos must be original, not reuploaded or reposted from other platforms
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Video Length: To earn rewards, your video must be over one minute long. Short clips around 15 to 30 seconds are not included in this program.
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Qualified Views: Not every view counts toward earnings. Only qualified views are used, which leave out views under five seconds, fake activity, or repeated views from the same person.
If even one item is unchecked, the Creator Rewards Program option simply won’t appear in your settings. Don’t panic — it’s not a bug.
Which Countries Are Currently Eligible?
The Creator Rewards Program is currently available in the following markets:
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🇺🇸 United States
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom
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🇩🇪 Germany
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🇫🇷 France
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🇯🇵 Japan
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🇰🇷 South Korea
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🇧🇷 Brazil
Creators in other regions may still have access to a local version of the original Creator Fund or region-specific monetization tools. Because availability can shift, check TikTok’s official support page for the most current list before troubleshooting your account.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step
Once you’ve confirmed you meet all eligibility requirements, the application takes only a few minutes inside the TikTok app.
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Open TikTok and navigate to your Profile (tap the person icon in the bottom-right corner).
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Tap the Menu icon (☰) in the top-right corner of your profile page.
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Select “TikTok Studio” from the menu.
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Tap “Creator Rewards Program” (you may see it listed under “Monetization” depending on your app version).
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Review the program terms and tap “Apply.”
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Confirm your date of birth and country of residence when prompted.
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Submit your application and wait for TikTok’s review.
Pro Tip: If you don’t see the Creator Rewards Program option inside Creator Tools, double-check that your account is set to Personal (not Business) and that you’re signed in to the correct account for your region. These two factors are responsible for the vast majority of “I can’t find it” issues.
What Happens After You Apply?
TikTok typically reviews applications within 2–3 business days, though it can occasionally take up to a week. You’ll receive an in-app notification and email once a decision is made.
Once approved, here’s what to do next:
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Connect a payment method: Go to your wallet settings and link either PayPal or a direct bank account to receive earnings.
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Meet the payout minimum: TikTok requires a minimum balance of $50 before you can withdraw earnings.
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Set realistic expectations: RPM varies widely depending on your niche, content length, and where your audience is located. Early-stage creators should treat this as supplemental income, not a primary revenue stream.
What to Do If You Don’t Qualify Yet
The two most common blockers are follower count and the 30-day video view threshold. Both are movable targets with the right approach.
If you’re short on followers: Make consistency your top priority when posting. Creators who share content 4 to 5 times each week often do better than those who post less often, even if their videos look more polished. Use trending audio — TikTok’s algorithm actively boosts videos that use sounds already gaining traction on the platform.
If your 30-day view count isn’t there yet: The most important part is the first three seconds of your video. A strong opening that makes people stop scrolling can boost watch time, which tells TikTok to show your content to more viewers. One thing many people overlook is audio quality. If viewers cannot hear you clearly, they leave before your hook even has a chance to work.
Creators who are close to the 100K view threshold often find that upgrading their audio setup makes a measurable difference. And that's where the Hollyland LARK M2 is earning the trust of thousands of creators thanks to its remarkable performance. LARK M2 is a compact wireless clip-on mic designed for TikTok and vlogging use. It is a practical option for creators who want cleaner sound without a complicated setup. With star features like 9-gram lightweight transmitters, 40-hour battery life, and a button-sized design, it ensures clearer audio and keeps viewers engaged longer, which directly feeds the view count you need to qualify.
Aim for a focused 4–6 week sprint: consistent posting schedule, trending audio, strong hooks, clear audio. That combination is your fastest path to hitting both thresholds simultaneously.
Alternative TikTok Monetization Options While You Wait
You don’t have to wait until you qualify for the Creator Rewards Program to start earning on TikTok. These options are available at lower follower counts:
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TikTok LIVE Gifts — Requires just 1,000 followers. Viewers can send virtual gifts during live streams that convert to real earnings.
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TikTok Series — Create gated, paid content collections accessible to followers who purchase access. Available to eligible creators with 10,000 followers.
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TikTok Shop Affiliate — Promote products from TikTok’s marketplace and earn a commission per sale. One of the most accessible early monetization paths — follower thresholds are lower, and earning potential scales with content performance.
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Brand partnerships / Creator Marketplace — Even at smaller follower counts, niche creators can access paid brand deals through TikTok’s Creator Marketplace once they’ve built a clearly defined audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What replaced the TikTok Creator Fund?
The Creator Rewards Program (previously called the Creativity Program Beta) replaced the Creator Fund in most major markets. It offers higher potential RPM but requires longer-form videos of at least one minute in length. If you were previously enrolled in the Creator Fund, your account may have been migrated automatically depending on your region.
Q: How many followers do you need for the TikTok Creator Fund?
You need at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days to be eligible for the Creator Rewards Program. Both thresholds must be met simultaneously — hitting one without the other will still block your application.
Q: Why can’t I find the Creator Fund option in my TikTok settings?
The first reason is the name. You might be searching for the “Creator Fund” in your TikTok Studio, but it's now called the “Creators Reward Program.” Plus, the option only appears if you meet all eligibility requirements, have a personal (not business) account, and are located in an eligible country. Switching from a business to a personal account and verifying your region settings are the first troubleshooting steps. Switching account types does not cause you to lose followers.
Q: How much does TikTok pay through the Creator Rewards Program?
Earnings vary based on content niche, audience location, video length, and engagement quality. RPM generally ranges from $0.40 to $1.00+ per 1,000 views, though high-performing niches — finance, tech, education — can exceed this. Treat early earnings as supplemental income while you scale your content output.
Q: Can I join the TikTok Creator Fund with a business account?
No. The Creator Rewards Program requires a personal TikTok account. You can switch account types in Settings → Manage Account → Switch to Personal Account without losing your followers, posts, or profile data.
Conclusion
Start by running your account against the eligibility checklist above — follower count, 30-day views, account type, and region. If every box is checked, head to Profile → Menu → TikTok Studio → Creator Rewards Program and submit your application. If you’re not there yet, set a concrete target: four to six weeks of consistent posting with strong hooks and clear audio can get most creators to the 100K view threshold faster than expected.
