Turning your passion for creating TikToks into a paycheck is a major goal for many creators. But getting approved for TikTok's monetization programs involves more than just hitting a certain follower count. You need to be a creator in good standing who provides real value to the community. This guide will break down the exact requirements for TikTok's main monetization features and provide a step-by-step checklist to ensure you're ready when you apply.

Understanding TikTok's Main Monetization Programs

TikTok offers several ways for creators to earn money directly through the app. Here are the most common programs:

1. The Creativity Program Beta

This is the primary program for earning money from your videos and the successor to the original Creator Fund. It's designed to reward creators for making longer, higher-quality content.

• Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Follower Requirement: You must have at least 10,000 followers.
• View Requirement: You must have at least 100,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days.
• Content Requirement: Your videos must be over one minute long to be eligible for rewards.
• Key Detail: It pays based on "qualified views," which are views from the For You page that meet certain criteria (e.g., not fraudulent, viewed for a sufficient duration).

2. TikTok LIVE Gifting & Subscriptions

This allows you to earn money from your audience during live streams.

• LIVE Gifts: To receive gifts, you need at least 1,000 followers. Viewers can send you virtual "Gifts" that can be converted into "Diamonds," which have a monetary value.
• LIVE Subscriptions: This feature, which has a higher follower requirement (check your Creator Tools for specifics), allows your most loyal fans to pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks like badges, custom emotes, and subscriber-only chats.

The Most Important Requirement: Being a Creator in Good Standing

This is the unspoken rule that causes the most rejections. You can meet all the metrics above and still be denied if your account is not in "good standing." This means:

• No Recent or Repeated Guideline Violations: Your account must be clean. If you have recent videos that were taken down or have a history of violations, your application will likely be rejected. It is essential to have a deep understanding of the TikTok Community Guidelines.
• Posting Original Content: This is critical. You cannot monetize stolen content. Re-uploading clips from movies, TV shows, or other creators without significant, transformative editing will get you rejected for being "unoriginal." Your content must be your own.

Your Pre-Application Checklist for Monetization Approval

Before you hit the apply button, go through this checklist:

1. Confirm Your Metrics: Go to Creator Tools > Analytics and verify that you meet the follower and 30-day view requirements for the program you're targeting.
2. Audit Your Content: Scroll through your videos from the last 30-60 days. Ask yourself honestly: Is this content original? Does it comply with the guidelines? Is it high-quality? If you have any doubts about a video, it might be best to private it. The goal is to present a clean, compliant profile to the review team.
3. Optimize Your Profile: Ensure your profile picture, bio, and video library clearly define your niche and who you are as a creator. A professional-looking profile signals that you are a serious applicant.
4. Check Your Account Standing: Go to Settings and privacy > Support > Safety Center > Account status. This page will show you if you have any active violations.

"I Was Rejected. Now What?" Common Reasons and How to Fix Them

A rejection can be frustrating, but it's often fixable. Here are the most common reasons for denial:

• Reason: "Security risk" or "Account not in good standing."
  Meaning: You likely have Community Guideline violations.
  The Fix: Find and delete or private the offending videos. Then, for the next 30 days, focus on posting safe, compliant content to build a new, clean track record before you reapply.
• Reason: "Unoriginal, low-quality, or QR code content."
  Meaning: You are likely re-uploading content without adding your own creative touch.
  The Fix: This is a serious issue. You must shift your strategy to creating original content. Film your own videos, use your own voiceover, show your face, or use editing to transform existing content into something new and unique.
• Reason: You did not meet the eligibility requirements.
  Meaning: Your follower or view count dropped below the threshold at the time of review.
  The Fix: The only solution is to continue creating great content and reapply once your metrics are consistently above the requirement.

Conclusion: Play the Long Game

Getting approved for TikTok monetization is a marathon, not a sprint. The system is designed to reward creators who consistently bring value to the platform and its users. Instead of chasing metrics, focus on building an authentic community around content you are passionate about. When you do that, the followers, views, and ultimately, the monetization will follow as a natural result of your hard work. For a broader look at earning, explore our guide to all TikTok monetization strategies.