Why Follower Count Matters in 2025
Follower count is a gateway to most of TikTok’s official monetization programs. The platform now requires 10 000 followers and 100 000 views in the previous 30 days for the Creator Rewards Program, its replacement for the Creator Fund. Without these numbers you won’t see the “Creator Rewards” option in your Creator Tools.
Follower count also impacts your ability to join the Creator Marketplace, where brands search for influencers. The Marketplace demands 100 000 followers and at least three posts and 100 000 likes in the past 28 days. Even outside of TikTok’s programs, follower size influences how much brands pay for sponsorships; for example, a nano‑creator (1k‑10k followers) earns roughly $100–$500 per post, while macro‑creators (100k–1M) can command $2 000–$10 000 per post.
How Many Followers to Monetize on TikTok?
(Minimum Follower Requirements by Income Stream)
TikTok monetization isn’t one size fits all. Here are the key follower thresholds for each revenue source.
Creator Rewards Program
(formerly Creator Fund)
TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program requires creators to have at least 10 000 followers and 100 000 video views in the last 30 days. Applicants must also be over 18, have a good‑standing personal account, live in an eligible country (US, UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea or Brazil) and post original videos longer than one minute. This program pays roughly $0.40–$1.00 per 1 000 views, significantly more than the old Creator Fund.
Live Gifts (Diamonds)
To go live and receive virtual gifts, your account must be at least 18 years old and have 1 000 followers. Gifts are purchased by viewers during a livestream and converted to Diamonds, which can be redeemed once you meet TikTok’s minimum payout threshold. Although follower requirements are lower here, earnings depend heavily on audience loyalty and engagement.
Brand Partnerships & Sponsored Content
Brands typically require a minimum of 1 000 followers and a solid engagement rate (about 3 %). The more followers you have, the more you can earn: creators with 1 000–10 000 followers often make $100–$500 per sponsored post, while those with 10 000–100 000 followers earn $500–$2 000 and those between 100 000 and 1 million followers can earn $2 000–$10 000 per post. Brands also look for niche expertise and professional content quality.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is the most accessible revenue stream because there is no minimum follower requirement. What matters is audience trust and niche alignment. Typical commission rates range from 1–10 % for Amazon programs up to 20–50 % for digital products. Although more followers yield more conversions, micro‑creators with loyal audiences can still earn meaningful commissions.
What Else Influences Monetization?
(Besides Follower Count)
Age and Account Type
Most TikTok monetization programs require you to be 18 years or older and to have a personal (creator) account. Business accounts are excluded from the Creator Rewards Program and cannot receive gifts.
Region and Eligibility
Monetization tools are not available everywhere. The Creator Rewards Program is currently limited to the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Brazil. Live gifts and Diamonds are available in select regions across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Always check TikTok’s in‑app eligibility list because supported countries change frequently.
Video Views and Quality
To qualify for Creator Rewards, your videos must receive at least 100 000 views in the last 30 days and be longer than one minute. TikTok also reviews videos for originality and engagement; disqualifiers include watermarks, Duet or Stitch content, and videos less than five seconds. Maintaining consistent posting and high‑quality content is therefore essential.
Account Standing and Compliance
TikTok strictly enforces its Community Guidelines. Accounts with recent guideline violations can be barred from monetization. In addition, switching to a business account disqualifies you from the Creator Rewards and Live Gifts programs. Keep your account personal and avoid content that could trigger penalties.
Realistic Timeline to Reach Monetization
How long it takes to hit monetization thresholds depends on your content quality, niche and growth strategy. Here’s a sample timeline inspired by creator journeys and tips from expert guides:
- Weeks 1–2: Optimize Your Profile.
Complete your bio, choose a niche and add links to other platforms. A professional profile photo and clear niche focus help TikTok understand and promote your content. - Weeks 3–8: Post Consistently.
Aim for at least one video per day, ideally during high‑engagement hours (6–10 AM and 7–9 PM), and interact with comments within the first hour. - Weeks 9–12: Analyze and Collaborate.
Use TikTok Analytics to identify top‑performing content and double down on successful formats. Collaborate with other creators to tap into their audiences. - Months 3–6: Reach 1 000 Followers.
With consistent posting and engagement, many creators reach the 1 000‑follower mark within a few months. This unlocks live streaming and the ability to receive gifts. - Months 6–12: Reach 10 000 Followers.
Achieving 10 000 followers and 100 000 views in 30 days takes sustained effort. Focus on high‑quality longer videos (over one minute) and share your TikToks across platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Remember that growth isn’t linear. Viral hits can accelerate your timeline, while breaks or inconsistent quality can delay monetization. Focus on audience value rather than follower count alone.
Should You Buy Followers to Unlock Monetization?
Buying followers might seem like a shortcut to reach 10 000 quickly, but it comes with significant risks. TikTok’s guidelines prohibit fraudulent activity and can disqualify you from monetization if your views or followers appear suspicious. Purchased followers often consist of inactive or fake accounts, which depress your engagement rate and make brand partnerships less attractive. Instead of buying followers, invest in genuine growth strategies: consistent posting, collaborating with other creators and engaging with your audience. If you do choose to use follower‑boost services, vet the provider carefully and prioritize quality—poor‑quality followers can lead to penalties.
If you’re thinking, “Wait — isn’t buying followers risky?” here’s the updated truth:
Fake, low-quality followers can hurt you. But real, high-retention followers from trusted platforms can give your content the boost it needs to reach TikTok’s monetization requirements faster. Buying followers is like boosting a post — you’re increasing visibility. If your content is good, that extra exposure can snowball into organic traction.
Bonus
3 Smart Ways to Speed Up Your TikTok Earnings
Cross‑Platform Promotion. Repurpose your TikToks on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Twitter and Facebook to attract new followers. Each platform exposes your content to different audiences and can drive traffic back to TikTok.
Develop a Live‑Streaming Routine. Schedule regular live sessions to build a loyal fanbase and encourage gifts. Live creators who use interactive formats such as Q&A or mini games tend to earn more.
Create a Media Kit and Pitch Brands. Once you have a few thousand followers and strong engagement, prepare a professional media kit and start pitching brands. Brands look for creators who align with their niche and show consistent growth. Use the Creator Marketplace for easier access to brands.
Final Checklist
Monetizing on TikTok in 2025 requires patience and strategy. While the new Creator Rewards Program demands 10 000 followers and 100 000 views in the last 30 days, other revenue streams such as Live gifts and affiliate marketing allow smaller accounts to start earning sooner. Focus on producing high‑quality content, maintaining community‑guideline compliance and diversifying your monetization approaches. Use the checklist below to ensure you are ready:
- Have at least 10 000 followers and 100 000 views in 30 days for Creator Rewards.
- Maintain a personal account (not business) and be 18 years or older.
- Ensure your videos are over one minute, original and high‑quality.
- Meet the 1 000‑follower threshold to unlock Live gifts.
- Keep your engagement rate above 3 % to attract brands.
- Use affiliate links responsibly—disclose sponsorships and prioritize authenticity.
- If your application is rejected, review TikTok’s feedback and reapply after addressing the issues.
For a deeper dive into all monetization methods, see our TikTok monetization guide. Ready to jump‑start your growth? Consider our service to Buy TikTok followers to reach monetization faster—but remember to prioritize engagement and quality to sustain long‑term earnings.
