How to make money on TikTok in 2025: The ultimate monetization guide

TikTok has evolved from a short-form video platform into one of the most powerful engines for social media income today. With over 1 billion monthly users and features designed specifically for creators, the opportunities to earn money from TikTok have never been greater.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale your influence, this guide covers everything you need to know to monetize on TikTok – from the Creator Rewards Program to affiliate marketing, sponsorships, digital products, and more.

How TikTok pays creators

TikTok pays creators through various monetization features, including the Creator Rewards Program, LIVE Gifts, Series, and brand collaborations via the Creator Marketplace. Each payout depends on your content’s performance, follower count, and audience engagement. Payments from TikTok are typically deposited into your connected account or PayPal once you meet the minimum threshold. TikTok calculates your earnings using RPM (revenue per 1,000 qualified views) for programs like Creator Rewards.

Who can earn money on TikTok?

To earn money directly from TikTok, you’ll need to meet eligibility requirements for each monetization feature. Here’s a breakdown of the most common thresholds:

General requirements (applies to most programs):

• Be at least 18 years old (or 19 in South Korea)

• Have a public personal or business account (not political or government)

• Adhere to TikTok’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service

TikTok Creator Rewards Program:

• 10,000+ followers

• 100,000+ video views in the past 30 days

• Original content that is at least 1 minute long

TikTok LIVE & Gifts:

• 1,000+ followers

• Be eligible to go LIVE in your region

TikTok Series:

• 10,000+ followers or at least 1,000+ views in the past 30 days

• 3+ public videos in the last month

• Account older than 30 days

TikTok Shop & Affiliate:

• 5,000+ followers (for creators promoting products)

• Active posting and account history

Note: Even if you don’t meet TikTok’s internal monetization thresholds, you can still earn through external platforms like affiliate links, merch stores, coaching services, and digital product sales promoted via TikTok.

Understanding TikTok’s monetization ecosystem

TikTok monetization is more than just views and followers. It includes a blend of platform-native tools, external income streams, and creator-driven business models. TikTok’s economy encourages hybrid strategies: pairing creator tools (like TikTok Shop or LIVE Gifts) with off-platform assets (like merch or email marketing funnels) gives you a stable, diversified income setup.

Diversification is key: Top earners don’t rely on one income source. They sell products, promote affiliates, collaborate with brands, and deliver services—all under one creator umbrella.

1. Join the Creator Rewards Program (formerly Creator Fund)

The TikTok Creator Rewards Program is an initiative designed to financially reward creators for producing high-quality, original content. This program replaced the previous Creator Fund, aiming to offer better transparency and higher payouts.

Requirements:

• 10,000 followers

• 100,000 video views in the past 30 days

• Original content (no stitches/duets)

• Be 18+ in an eligible country

Videos must be original and at least one minute long to qualify. Content such as duets, stitches, or videos with watermarks may not be eligible

Example: Zach King, famous for his video illusions, earned ~$14,000 from one viral TikTok with 2 billion views. Thanks to layered monetization, his average income exceeds $50,000/month.

@zachking They rejected my application to Hogwarts but I still found a way to be a wizard. 🧹#illusion #magic #harrypotter ♬ Zach Kings Magic Broomstick – Zach King

How to sign up:

1. To apply for the Creator Rewards Program:
2. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
3. Tap the Menu (☰) button in the top right corner.
4. Select Settings and Privacy.
5. Navigate to Creator Tools.
6. Tap on Creator Rewards Program.
7. Review the eligibility requirements and, if eligible, tap Apply.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your application

TikTok typically reviews applications within a few days. You will receive a notification once your application has been reviewed.

 

2. Sell products through TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is an integrated e-commerce platform within the TikTok app, allowing creators and businesses to sell products directly to users. It enables seamless shopping experiences by letting users discover and purchase products featured in videos and live streams without leaving the app.

• Dropshipping, print-on-demand, or self-fulfillment

• Add products from TikTok’s affiliate marketplace

• Get featured in TikTok’s Shop tab

You can also allow other creators to promote your products via affiliate links and earn commission.

Who can sell on TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is available to both individual creators and registered businesses.

Eligibility requirements:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Residency: You must reside in a country where TikTok Shop is available, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and several Southeast Asian countries.
• Account Type: You need a TikTok Business Account. If you have a personal account, you’ll need to convert it to a business account or create a new one.
• Compliance: Adherence to TikTok’s community guidelines and e-commerce policies is mandatory.

How to register for TikTok Shop

Follow these steps to set up your TikTok Shop:

1. Visit the TikTok Shop Seller Center: Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center and sign up using your TikTok account, email, or phone number.
2. Choose Your Business Type: Select whether you’re registering as an individual or a business entity.
3. Provide Required Documentation:
   1. For individuals:
      1. Valid government-issued ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license).
      2. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
      3. Bank account details for receiving payments.
   2. For businesses:
      1. Business license or registration documents.
      2. Employer Identification Number (EIN).
      3. Bank account details.

4. Set up your Shop profile: Add your shop name, logo, and other relevant details.

5. Add products: List the products you wish to sell, including images, descriptions, prices, and inventory details.

6. Await approval: TikTok will review your application and notify you upon approval.

3. Partner with brands via Creator Marketplace

TikTok’s Creator Marketplace helps you land brand deals and sponsorships. Build your media kit and showcase your stats (views, audience demographics, niche).

To boost your chances:

• Tag brands organically in your videos

• Use relevant niche hashtags

• Post consistently with a clear brand voice

Try tools like Shopify Collabs or influencer platforms to expand your deal flow.

4. Go LIVE and earn with TikTok Gifts

TikTok LIVE Gifts are virtual items that viewers can purchase and send to creators during live streams. These gifts serve as a form of appreciation and can be converted into real money by the creators.

To receive LIVE Gifts on TikTok, you must:

• Have 1,000+ followers

• Be 18+ years old

• Hold an active, compliant account

Example: Sonja Detrinidad, founder of Partly Sunny Projects, scaled her plant business using TikTok LIVE—growing from 2 orders weekly to over 500 with frequent interactive streams.

@partlysunnyprojects I wasn’t ready…. #partlysunnyprojects #cactus #blooms #gardengoals ♬ original sound – Partly Sunny Projects

Additionally, you need to be part of the Creator Next program to collect Diamonds from LIVE Gifts. This program offers monetization tools, including LIVE Gifts, Video Gifts, and Tips.

How to Enable LIVE Gifts

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile.
2. Tap the three-line menu in the top right corner to access Settings and Privacy.
3. Select Creator Tools.
4. Tap on LIVE Gifts.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation

Once enabled, viewers will see the Gift icon during your live streams, allowing them to send you virtual gifts.

Each gift you receive translates into Diamonds. The value of Diamonds can vary, but generally, creators receive approximately $0.005 per Diamond.

5. Promote affiliate products as a TikTok Shop Creator

Join TikTok’s affiliate program to recommend and earn commission on other creators’ or brands’ products.

• Add product links to your videos

• Use TikTok’s Creator Product Marketplace

• Earn while offering real value

Affiliate marketing works best when you showcase honest reviews and demos in your content.

6. Offer coaching, services, or digital products

Use TikTok to position yourself as an expert and promote:

• 1:1 coaching or consulting

• Group workshops

• eBooks, templates, digital guides

You don’t need millions of followers to convert viewers into paying clients—just trust, clarity, and great content.

---

Related Articles

---

7. Drive traffic with a link in bio

Use your TikTok bio to promote your sales funnels:

• Online shop

• Newsletter signup

• Affiliate hub

• Freebie landing page

Tools like Linktree or Beacons allow you to manage multiple links.

8. Sell custom merch

Turn your community into brand ambassadors with merch:

• Use Printful, Printify, or Spring

• Offer limited-edition drops

• Promote in your videos + profile

Merch is especially powerful when tied to your niche, inside jokes, or catchphrases.

9. Offer personalized shoutouts

Charge fans for custom shoutouts or videos:

• Birthday messages

• Celebratory notes

• Advice or encouragement

Use platforms like Cameo, Koji, or direct PayPal/Venmo links.

10. Launch premium video content with TikTok Series

TikTok Series lets you bundle 1-80 videos (up to 20 mins each) behind a paywall.

Perfect for:

• Courses

• Story series

• Challenge programs

You set the price. Series content can unlock serious passive income.

11. Accept tips and micro-donations

Enable TikTok Tips or link to external tip jars:

• Buy Me a Coffee

• Ko-fi

• Tipeee

These are great for creators with engaged audiences who want to support beyond likes and follows.

12. Crowdfund projects

Got a big creative idea? Launch a crowdfunding campaign:

• Kickstarter for products

• Patreon for memberships

• Indiegogo for flexible funding

Use your TikTok to build hype, tell your story, and drive pledges.

13. Refer new users and earn TikTok Rewards

TikTok’s referral system lets you earn cash or points for inviting friends.

• Head to the TikTok Rewards tab

• Share your code or link

• Get bonuses when they interact

Great for creators with YouTube, Discord, or newsletter audiences.

14. Run in-feed TikTok Ads to promote products or services

In-Feed Ads are native video advertisements within users’ “For You” feeds, blending seamlessly with organic content. They support full-screen, sound-on experiences and can last up to 60 seconds. Users can interact with these ads by liking, commenting, sharing, and following, just like regular TikTok videos.

With TikTok Ads Manager, you can:

• Promote affiliate or owned products

• Drive email signups or course sales

• Boost your video reach

Use Spark Ads to boost existing posts or run TopView ads for max exposure.

Who can run in-feed ads?

To run In-Feed Ads, you need:

• Have a TikTok Business Account.
• Access TikTok Ads Manager.
• Comply with TikTok’s advertising policies and community guidelines.

How to set up in-feed ads

1. Create a TikTok Business Account:

   1. Go to TikTok for Business and sign up.

   2. Switch your existing TikTok account to a Business Account via Settings > Manage Account > Switch to Business Account.

2. Access TikTok Ads Manager:
   1. Access TikTok Ads Manager: 

3. Create a new campaign:

   1. Click on “Campaign” and then “Create”.

   2. Choose your campaign objective (e.g., Traffic, Conversions, App Install).

4. Set up ad group: 

   1. Define your target audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

   2. Select “Automatic Placement” or choose specific placements.

   3. Set your budget and schedule.

5. Create your ad:

   1. Upload your video creative (ensure it meets TikTok’s ad specifications).

   2. Add ad details: display name, ad text, call-to-action (e.g., “Shop Now”, “Learn More”), and destination URL.

   3. Preview your ad and submit it for review.

Bonuses and tips 

Grow and sell TikTok accounts

Once you’ve got a handle on this budding social media platform, you can even build up high-performing TikTok accounts in different niches (like book reviews or travel tips) and sell them once they gain traction.

Platforms to sell TikTok accounts:

• Fameswap

• PlayerUp

• Flippa

Make sure to disclose your core metrics: follower count, niche, engagement, and growth trends.

How to get your first 1,000 followers

• Pick a specific niche and stick to it

• Post daily, even if it’s simple

• Try to hook viewers in the first 3 seconds

• Respond to comments and DMs

• Jump on trends with your unique spin

Once you hit the 1,000 mark, new monetization tools (like LIVE and bio links) unlock.

TikTok Analytics to track for monetization

• Watch time: Higher = better RPM

• Follower growth: See what content works

• Profile clicks: Are people taking action?

• Video shares: TikTok prioritizes share-worthy content

Insight = Income. Use data to optimize your output.

The Role of TikTok Algorithm in Monetization

• Post consistently

• Start videos strong

• Use relevant hashtags and sound

• Engage within the first hour of posting

• Avoid violations to prevent shadowbans

The algorithm changes often, but great content and engagement never go out of style.

How much do TikTok creators make per view?

Monetization Method	Estimated Earnings
Creator Rewards Program	$0.02–$0.15 per 1,000 views
Brand Sponsorships	$100–$10,000+ per post
Affiliate Marketing	10–30% commission per sale
LIVE Gifts	$50–$2,000/month
TikTok Series	$5–$50 per bundle
Selling Products	Unlimited (depends on niche)

Viral videos won’t make you rich alone. Monetization requires a layered strategy with consistent, audience-driven effort.

Treat TikTok like a business, not a hobby

Making money on TikTok is possible for creators at any level, but it takes strategy, consistency, and value-driven content. Don’t chase quick wins. Instead, build a brand, serve a niche, and layer your monetization streams for sustainable growth.

The creators who win in 2025 are those who treat TikTok like a business, not a hobby.