[FAQ]

I’ve been hearing a lot about TikTok’s new Creativity Program Beta, which seems to be replacing the original Creator Fund for many people. I’m trying to get a clear explanation of how the payment structure actually differs between the two programs as of mid-2025.

Is it true that the new program genuinely pays more for the same number of views? And what kind of videos are actually eligible to earn money under the new rules? I’m curious how the earnings are calculated and if it’s a better deal for creators overall.

Curious to hear from anyone who has made the switch. Thanks!

[Jeff Bullas]

The TikTok Creativity Program Beta was specifically designed by TikTok to offer significantly higher earning potential for creators compared to the original Creator Fund. It operates on a different payment model and has stricter eligibility requirements for the content itself.

First, it is important to understand the old Creator Fund model. It was based on a large but ultimately static pool of funds that was distributed among all eligible creators. Your share was calculated based on a variety of factors, including video views and engagement. A common criticism was that as more creators joined and more videos went viral, the amount paid per thousand views often became very low and unpredictable.

Second, the new Creativity Program Beta completely changes this model. It does not use a static fund. Instead, it pays creators based on an RPM (Revenue Per Mille, or revenue per 1,000 qualified views). This RPM-based model is more transparent and is designed to be more sustainable and rewarding. The RPM rate itself can fluctuate based on factors such as the region of the viewers, the video’s overall engagement, and its advertising value. The key takeaway is that creators in the program almost universally report a much higher RPM and therefore significantly higher earnings for the same number of views compared to the old fund.

Third, and this is the most critical difference, there are stricter eligibility requirements for your videos to earn money in the Creativity Program. First, to qualify, a video must be over one minute long. Second, it must be high-quality, original content; re-uploads of other people’s content, low-effort Stitches or Duets, or photo slideshows are often deemed ineligible. And third, you earn based on “qualified views.” A qualified view is typically one from the “For You” page, must last for at least a few seconds, and cannot be from a bot or the creator themselves. Views from search or from your own profile often do not count towards monetisation.

The payout difference is substantial. While individual RPMs vary, many creators have reported earning anywhere from 10 to 20 times more per thousand views under the Creativity Program Beta than they did in the old Creator Fund. The trade-off is that videos under one minute long, which were the bread and butter of the old fund, are not eligible to earn at all in the new program.

In summary, the Creativity Program Beta pays significantly more because it uses a more direct, performance-based RPM model. However, it is specifically designed to reward creators who produce longer, more engaging, and higher-quality original video content.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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