How to Join TikTok Creator Fund
Step-by-step guide to qualifying, applying, and getting approved for TikTok's Creator Rewards Program (formerly the Creator Fund).
Last updated: July 2026 · 6 min read · 2026 Requirements
First, the honest answer: the original Creator Fund is discontinued. TikTok's own support page lists the Creator Fund as no longer available, and the Creator Rewards Program has replaced it in every former Fund market. So "joining the Creator Fund" in 2026 really means applying to Creator Rewards — a much better deal, paying a creator-reported $0.50–$2.00 per 1,000 qualified views versus the legacy Fund's $0.02–$0.05, roughly a 10–40x improvement. Qualifying requires 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, original videos at least one minute long, age 18+ (19 in South Korea), a Personal account, and residence in an eligible country. This guide walks through the exact application path, how to reach each threshold faster, the most common rejection reasons, and what to expect after approval.
From Creator Fund to Creator Rewards: What You're Joining
The Creator Fund launched in 2020 with a fixed payout pool and paid $0.02–$0.05 per 1,000 views — historical numbers that no longer apply to any application you file today. TikTok replaced it with the Creativity Program Beta in 2023, later renamed the Creator Rewards Program. The new program is performance-based rather than pool-based: your payout is a Standard Reward (qualified views × your RPM) plus an Additional Reward tied to content quality, engagement, and specialization, per TikTok's official program documentation. The trade-off is stricter content rules — only original, public videos at least one minute long earn. For the full payout mechanics, see the Creator Rewards Program guide; for historical context on the old program, see the Creator Fund guide.
Quick Requirements Check
Confirm every requirement before applying — TikTok rejects applications missing any single threshold:
- 10,000+ followers
- 100,000+ video views in the last 30 days
- Original, public videos over 1 minute long (only 1-minute-plus videos monetize)
- 18+ years old (19 in South Korea)
- A Personal account — Business accounts and government or political accounts are not eligible
- Residence in an eligible country — the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain were the historic Fund markets; check availability by country
- Account in good standing (no recent Community Guidelines violations)
Pro tip: Estimate your potential monthly earnings before applying with the Creator Rewards calculator.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application takes about 15 minutes once you meet every threshold.
- Verify you meet every eligibility requirement — confirm 10K followers, 100K views in 30 days, 1-minute-plus original videos, 18+ age (19 in South Korea), and an eligible country.
- Make sure you're on a Personal account — Creator Rewards requires a Personal account. If you previously switched to a Business account, revert it under Settings before applying.
- Open TikTok Studio — go to Profile → Menu → TikTok Studio → Creator Rewards Program. The application option appears only when your account meets the requirements.
- Review and accept the program terms — read the Creator Rewards agreement, then accept the terms to submit your application.
- Wait for a reply (about 3 days) — TikTok typically responds within roughly 3 days. If rejected, you can appeal within 30 days, or re-apply 30 days after the appeal window ends.
- Set up payment information — add PayPal or bank transfer details in your Creator Tools payment settings. The commonly reported minimum payout is $10; confirm the exact figure in your account.
How to Reach 10,000 Followers Faster
The follower threshold is the slowest requirement for most creators. Four tactics compress the timeline:
- Lock one focused niche — a consistent topic helps the algorithm classify your account and serve it to the right audience, which compounds growth over time.
- Post consistently, 1–3 times daily — frequent posting gives the For You feed more chances to surface your content.
- Hook viewers in the first second — strong openings lift completion rates, and completion is a core distribution signal.
- Engage daily within your niche — thoughtful comments on niche videos drive profile visits and follows.
Track progress with the follower growth calculator, and pick your topic using our niche selection guide.
How to Hit 100,000 Views in 30 Days
Views are cumulative across every video in the last 30 days, so posting volume compounds. Three paths reach 100K:
Math Breakdown
- Conservative: 30 videos × 3,500 views each = 105,000 views
- Moderate: 20 videos × 5,000 views each = 100,000 views
- One viral hit: 1 video with 100K+ views, driven by a strong hook plus a trending format
Strategies to Boost Views
- Jump on trends early — trending sounds and formats fade within days, so speed matters more than polish.
- Use specific niche hashtags — narrower tags reach viewers who actually follow your topic and convert to follows better than broad ones.
- Build watch-time hooks — open loops and delayed payoffs raise completion rate and For You feed reach.
- Test posting times — try morning, midday, and evening slots to find your audience's peak.
Short clips count toward the 100K eligibility threshold even though only 1-minute-plus videos earn after approval. The full threshold breakdown is in the monetization requirements guide.
Common Rejection Reasons (And How to Fix Them)
Most rejections trace to one of five fixable issues:
| Rejection Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Under 10K followers or 100K views | Keep posting daily until both thresholds clear, then re-apply |
| Unoriginal content history (Duets, Stitches, reposts, slideshows) | Publish original 1-minute-plus videos — TikTok excludes reposted and lightly modified content |
| Recent Community Guidelines violation | Serve the penalty period and keep the account clean before re-applying |
| Under 18 or ineligible region | Confirm age and country; the program is region-limited |
| Business account | Switch to a Personal account — Business accounts are not eligible |
If you believe a rejection was a mistake, appeal within 30 days; otherwise re-apply 30 days after the appeal period ends.
What Happens After You're Approved
Approval is the start line, not the finish. Three rules shape your first earnings:
- Rewards are not retroactive. Only videos uploaded after you join can earn — your existing back catalog doesn't monetize.
- Each video must clear 1,000 qualified views before it earns. A qualified view is a unique For You feed view watched for more than 5 seconds; paid, promoted, repeat, and "not interested" views don't count, per TikTok's official definition.
- Only 1-minute-plus original videos qualify. Ads, sponsored content, and Series-linked videos are excluded from rewards.
Payments
Earnings accrue daily in your dashboard, pass a validation window, and become available to withdraw via PayPal or bank transfer through Creator Tools on a roughly monthly cycle. The commonly reported minimum payout is $10 — confirm timing and thresholds in your own account, since they vary by region.
Maintaining Your Status
TikTok removes creators who violate Community Guidelines, shift to mostly unoriginal content, or engage in fraudulent view activity. Keep the account in good standing to protect the income stream, and use the earnings-increase guide to grow the payout side.
Limitations & How We Estimate These Figures
RPM ranges on this page are directional estimates built from creator reports and TikTok's official documentation — TikTok publishes no rate card, so no figure here is a guarantee. Actual earnings vary with niche, geography, and engagement. Read the full methodology on our methodology page, and model your own numbers with the Creator Rewards calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TikTok Creator Fund still available in 2026?
No. TikTok discontinued the Creator Fund and its support pages now list it as no longer available. The Creator Rewards Program is the current view-based payment program, and applications go through TikTok Studio.
What are the requirements to join the Creator Rewards Program?
You need 10,000 followers, 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, original videos over 1 minute long, age 18+ (19 in South Korea), a Personal account, and residence in an eligible country.
How much does the program pay per 1,000 views?
The legacy Creator Fund paid a historical $0.02–$0.05 per 1,000 views. Creator Rewards pays a creator-reported $0.50–$2.00 per 1,000 qualified views, with finance and tech niches typically at the top of the range. No rate is guaranteed.
How long does Creator Rewards approval take?
TikTok typically replies within about 3 days. Rejected applicants can appeal within 30 days or re-apply 30 days after the appeal period ends.
Why was my application rejected?
The most common reasons are missing the 10K-follower or 100K-view threshold, an unoriginal-content history, a recent Community Guidelines violation, being under 18, using a Business account, or living in an ineligible region.
What is the minimum payout?
The commonly reported minimum payout is $10, paid via PayPal or bank transfer on a roughly monthly cycle. Confirm the exact threshold and timing in your Creator Tools account.