Like other social media platforms, TikTok offers monetary incentives for TikTok users who create engaging content. That means the more TikTok engagement you have, the more you'll potentially earn.

So how much can you earn from your TikTok account? Let's take a look...

Key Points:

• How Much Do Likes Pay On TikTok?

• How Are Potential Earnings Calculated?

• How To Make Money On TikTok

• Tips For Earning More

• What Is The Trick To Going Viral On TikTok?

• Who Are The Richest TikTok Creators?

• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Likes Pay On TikTok?

TikTok doesn't pay for likes, just views. 

However, in a roundabout way, the more likes you have on a TikTok video the more you can potentially earn since users have to view your video to like it. 

Additionally, the more engagement a video has the more likely it is to get recommended to users on the For You page. So while likes don’t necessarily have a monetary value on the platform, they’re not something you should ignore.

How Are Potential Earnings Calculated?

Earnings based solely on the Creativity Program available on TikTok can be calculated taking into account the following factors: 

• How many followers a user has (as this is a qualification requirement)

• View count

• Engagement rate
  
  

Keep in mind that this does not take into account branded merchandise, promoting products, or profit from the TikTok Shop. Creators can earn from these streams, and often do make more profit outside of the Creator Rewards Program. 

Also note that the more videos you create, the lower your engagement rate will be. A single video with a million views may have a high engagement rate, but the moment you post a second video that average rate will go down for your profile.

Because of this, it's always best to focus on creating high quality content rather than creating content for the sake of it.

Does TikTok Pay For Followers?

Not necessarily - but to qualify for monetization with the Creativity Program you’ll need to meet certain requirements which include a minimum number of followers.

Additionally, the more followers you have the more views your content is likely to accrue which does translate to increased earnings.

Does TikTok Pay Differently Based On Location?

Yes, users in the United States and Canada will earn more than creators based in the UK, Germany, Japan, and other countries.

Below are estimated earnings by country.

How To Make Money On TikTok

If you’re looking to make money on TikTok, there are several income streams to take into account.

TikTok’s previous monetization program, the Creator Fund, is one of them but it’s since been replaced by the Creativity Program. Additionally, creators can earn through selling products on TikTok Shop, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, and receiving gifts on TikTok LIVE.

What Are The Requirements To Get Paid On TikTok?

If you want to monetize your TikTok videos directly through TikTok, you’ll need to qualify for the TikTok Creativity Program. There’s also the Creator Fund, which is no longer accepting new applicants but still continues to generate earnings for those who previously qualified for it.

Read on to learn more about each program.

TikTok Creator Fund

TikTok launched the Creator Fund in 2020, allowing eligible creators to earn money for their TikTok videos. While TikTok's Creator Fund is no longer accepting new users, those who already signed up can continue to benefit from the fund. 

At the time it was launched, the Creator Fund had the following qualification requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age or older

• Located in: USA, UK, France, Italy, Spain, or Germany

• Have at least 10,000 followers

• Have at least 100,000 views within the last 30 days

• Be in good standing with the Community Guidelines
  
  

Earnings are generated based on the following factors:

• View count

• Engagement rate
  
  

Note that live streams, duets/stitches, and any videos posted before the creator signed up for the Fund are not eligible for earnings through the program.

TikTok Creativity Program (Beta)

The new Creativity Program is TikTok's latest creator rewards program to help popular creators users maximize earnings on longer videos. Unlike the original Creator Fund, users who qualify for the Creativity Program can potentially earn up to 20 times more, particularly from longer form content.

Users will need to meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years or older

• Located in the USA

• Have at least 10,000 followers

• Have earned at least 100,000 views within the last 30 days
  
  

How To Sign Up For The Creativity Program

• Open your TikTok profile and tap the three lines on the top right corner.

• Tap Settings.

• Tap Creator Tools > Creator Fund

• Fill out the application. You will receive notification of the decision within 3 days.

Brand Partnerships

Another popular monetization strategy on TikTok is brand partnerships. This often entails creating exclusive content alongside a specific brand or company to promote a product in exchange for an agreed upon fee.

The richest TikTok creators make the bulk of their earnings through sponsored content and brand collaborations, often crafting content with future brand deals in mind.

If you're just starting out, it can be tough to snag a sponsorship so it's best not to rely solely on this potential income stream.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is another popular option that anyone can participate in, even if you’re not part of the Creativity Program.

All you need to do is sign up for an affiliate program, like Amazon Affiliates or Awin. Once you’re signed up, search for products you want to promote and include the links in the captions of your video or on a landing page within your TikTok bio.

Whenever a view clicks the link and makes a qualifying purchase, you’ll earn a percentage.

TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is another great option for creators who want to earn without relying on the monetization program. You can sell digital and physical products, so whether you want to create merch or ebook guides for your viewers, the sky is the limit.

Learn more about TikTok Shop in our guide here.

TikTok LIVE Gifts

Going live can also reward creators, thanks to dedicated fans who offer up virtual gifts. Check out our comprehensive guide to TikTok virtual gifts, including how much each gift is worth.

Does TikTok Pay For Watching Videos?

No, TikTok doesn’t pay users for watching videos. While there are third party sites that pay users for watching videos, it’s always best to do your research before committing to any program, especially one that requires you to provide payment details or personal information.

Tips For Earning More

Want to start earning more from your TikTok account? Here are a few basics to keep in mind, aside from maintaining high content quality that sticks to TikTok's Community Guidelines:

Switch From A Personal Account To A TikTok Business Account

This will give you access to TikTok analytics, which provide valuable insights into your target audience and content performance, among other creator tools.

To switch your account type, open the TikTok app and visit your profile page.

Tap the three lines on the top right corner.

Tap Settings & Privacy.

Tap Account.

Tap Switch To Business Account.

Follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

Take Advantage Of Merchandise Sales

If you've crafted a personal or professional brand, consider creating a line of merchandise for your most dedicated fans. This is a great way to earn money without relying on TikTok's revenue streams.

You can list your merch on TikTok Shop, or using your own personal website.

Offer Exclusive Content On Patreon

Don't limit yourself to the TikTok app! Once you've built up a following, consider creating exclusive videos or an online community through Patreon.

Make Your TikTok Presence Known

If your goal is to gain a large enough following to start creating brand sponsored content, why not consider buying TikTok followers and other forms of audience engagement?

While you don't get paid specifically for having a high follower count, this can help boost your TikTok presence, putting your content in front of even more users, and helping you build a loyal audience in the process and even opening up additional revenue stream options.

What Is The Trick To Going Viral On TikTok?

More views means more money, and going viral means way more views. That’s why it’s the goal of most content creators out there.

But how do you actually go viral?

Turns out it’s about more than just luck, and you don’t have to be a popular creator either. All you need to do is work with the TikTok algorithm, and it’s a lot simpler than you might think.

How To Trigger The TikTok Algorithm

The TikTok algorithm priorities one simple thing - value. The more value a video can offer viewers, the more likely it is to be recommended by the algorithm on the For You page and other areas.

“Value” here means engagement. If a video has a solid number of views, likes, comments, shares, and saves, it’s more likely to be seen as valuable by the algorithm.

The trick is that if you’re just starting out it can be nearly impossible to get that engagement in the first place, especially if the algorithm isn’t sharing your content with viewers yet.

Thankfully you can build a foundation of engagement yourself, without waiting for the algorithm to pick up on your content. By buying engagement, particularly hidden metrics like shares and saves (which have a higher value indicator than likes and views), you can increase your content’s perceived value and therefore the chances of it being recommended by the algorithm.

Who Are The Richest TikTok Creators?

These are the top TikTok influencers making the most money from their TikTok videos, based on a combination of view count, brand partnerships, sponsored posts, the affiliate marketing program, and other revenue streams:

Frequently Asked Questions