TikTok Creator Fund: What Happened to It and What Replaced It

The TikTok Creator Fund is no longer active. TikTok shut it down permanently in December 2023 and replaced it with the Creator Rewards Program, which pays creators differently and, according to TikTok, substantially more. Here's what changed, who qualifies now, and how the new system actually works.

What Was the TikTok Creator Fund?

TikTok launched the Creator Fund in 2020 with an initial $200 million pool that, as reported by CNBC, was expected to grow to over $1 billion in the US within three years. The setup was simple: creators who cleared a minimum view threshold (TikTok cited 100,000+ views) could apply to get paid out of that shared pool based on how their videos performed.

In practice, the payout per view stayed roughly fixed no matter how much ad revenue TikTok itself was generating — and that mismatch is exactly what triggered the backlash below.

Why Creators Pushed Back

Complaints became public in early 2022, after creator Hank Green posted that his TikTok payout worked out to roughly 2.5 cents per 1,000 views — a fraction of what similar view counts earned him elsewhere. Other creators then shared their own numbers, and the gap between follower count and actual income became hard to ignore.

These figures come from creators' own public posts, not from TikTok directly. Three examples aren't a statistically reliable sample — treat them as illustrations of the complaint, not a guaranteed rate.

What Replaced the TikTok Creator Fund?

From Creativity Program Beta to Creator Rewards Program

TikTok didn't retire the Creator Fund and leave a gap. It replaced it in stages: first with the Creativity Program Beta starting in mid-2023, then, once that beta period closed in March 2024, with what TikTok now calls the Creator Rewards Program, according to TechCrunch. Creators already enrolled in the beta version were moved over automatically — no reapplication needed.

Who Qualifies Today

As of 2026, eligibility for the Creator Rewards Program requires an account in good standing, at least 10,000 followers, at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, and a minimum age of 18 (19 in South Korea). Only personal accounts qualify — business, organizational, and political accounts are excluded.

The program currently runs in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, Mexico, and Brazil. TikTok has expanded that list before, though there's no published schedule for further additions.

In practice, creators who meet the follower and view thresholds but don't see the program in their app usually find it's a regional restriction, not an account problem.

How Payouts Are Calculated

Rather than splitting one fixed pool, the Creator Rewards Program pays based on individual video performance. TikTok says it weighs four factors: originality, play duration (how long people actually watch), audience engagement, and how well the content matches what people search for.

Only videos at least one minute long, posted after joining, and reaching at least 1,000 qualifying views on the For You feed are eligible. TikTok hasn't published an exact rate per 1,000 views — third-party creator trackers commonly report figures somewhere between $0.20 and $2.50, with finance and educational content typically landing higher and general entertainment lower.

That range is a rough indicator, not a guarantee. TikTok itself only says the program offers the potential to pay up to 20 times more than the old Creator Fund — language that's stayed consistent since 2023, but it's still framed as upside, not a promise.

TikTok Creator Fund vs. Creator Rewards Program

How to Apply for the Creator Rewards Program

Creators who meet the requirements can apply directly in the TikTok app: open Profile, tap the menu icon, go to Creator Tools, then select Creator Rewards Program and follow the prompts. TikTok typically responds within a few days. There's no application fee. Switching is one-directional — once you're on Creator Rewards, you can't move back to the Creator Fund, though that's moot now since the Fund doesn't exist to switch back to.

Other Ways TikTok Creators Make Money

The Creator Rewards Program isn't the only income stream on the platform. Many creators combine it with brand partnerships (companies paying directly for sponsored posts), TikTok Shop affiliate commissions on products sold through their content, and LIVE Gifts, where viewers send virtual gifts during livestreams that convert into payouts.

What's often overlooked is that for established creators, brand deals and shop commissions tend to outearn platform payouts by a wide margin — Creator Rewards works better as a baseline income than as a primary one.

Conclusion

The TikTok Creator Fund ended in December 2023 and isn't coming back. Its replacement, the Creator Rewards Program, pays based on video performance rather than a shared pool, with eligibility tied to followers, views, age, and region. Most creators treat it as one income stream among several.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TikTok Creator Fund still accepting new applicants?

No. TikTok stopped accepting new Creator Fund applicants in 2023, and the program is fully discontinued. Anyone interested in TikTok's current payout program needs to apply for the Creator Rewards Program instead.

What replaced the TikTok Creator Fund?

TikTok replaced the Creator Fund with the Creator Rewards Program, after a transitional "Creativity Program Beta" phase. It pays based on individual video performance rather than splitting a fixed daily pool across all participants.

How much did the TikTok Creator Fund actually pay?

Reported payouts varied widely — commonly cited figures range from roughly 2 to 5 cents per 1,000 views. TikTok never published an official rate, so most of what's known comes from creators sharing their own earnings publicly.

Who is eligible for TikTok's current creator payout program?

Creators need at least 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, a personal account in good standing, and to be 18 or older (19 in South Korea), located in a supported country.

Can creators still access old Creator Fund earnings data?

TikTok hasn't published a public archive of historical Creator Fund payouts. Creators who were enrolled may still see past earnings in their own account history, but the program no longer accepts new participants.