TikTok Monetization Requirements: How Many Followers Each Program Needs
TikTok monetization requirements start at 1,000 followers for LIVE and for TikTok Shop affiliates in the US. At the top, they rise to 10,000 followers plus 100,000 views in 30 days for Creator Rewards. Every program also needs you to be 18 or older.
So if you’re wondering how many followers you need to monetize TikTok, the honest answer is that it depends on the program. This guide puts each one on a single ladder, from the first rung to the top. Keep in mind that TikTok sets some rules by region, and any of them can change.
TikTok monetization requirements at a glance
Here’s the full ladder in one chart. Below it, the same data is in a table, so you can read it without the image.
Share this infographic
| Program | Followers | Other rules |
|---|---|---|
| LIVE | 1,000 (may vary by region) | 18 or older |
| LIVE Gifts | No extra count beyond LIVE | 18 or older (19 in South Korea) |
| TikTok Shop affiliate (US) | 1,000; pilot limits until 5,000 | 18 or older, US-based, ID check |
| Subscription | 10K, or LIVE route | 100K views in the past calendar month |
| Creator Rewards | 10K | 100K views in the last 30 days, personal account |
How many followers to go LIVE on TikTok
You need 1,000 followers to go LIVE on TikTok, and you must be at least 18. TikTok notes that the follower number may vary across regions. Also, LIVE isn’t available everywhere yet.
Gifts work a little differently. To send or receive Gifts during a LIVE, you must be 18 or older, or 19 in South Korea. In other words, LIVE is the first rung, and Gifts sit right beside it.
LIVE Subscription and Subscription
There are two ways into subscriptions. The first is through LIVE, and the second is a wider Subscription feature for creators who post videos.
For LIVE Subscription, you need LIVE access first. Then you must have gone LIVE for at least 30 minutes in the last 28 days and meet the follower threshold for your region. That means the exact follower number depends on where you are.
The expanded Subscription feature asks for more. Creators must be 18 or older, have an account in good standing, and reach at least 10K followers and 100K video views in the past calendar month. Alternatively, they can meet the LIVE eligibility rules instead.
How many followers for TikTok Shop
In the US, affiliate creators need at least 1,000 followers for TikTok Shop. They also must be 18 or older, be based in the US, and pass an identity check. This section covers the US policy only, because other regions set their own rules.
However, 1,000 followers only gets you started. If you have fewer than 5,000 followers, you join a pilot program for at least 30 days. During the pilot, you can post up to 3 shoppable videos a day and 3 shoppable LIVEs a week.
To graduate and remove those limits, you need both parts. First, reach at least 5,000 followers. Second, stay in the pilot for at least 30 days. As a result, 5,000 is the full-access number for Shop, while 1,000 is the entry point.
Creator Rewards: the top rung
Creator Rewards sits at the top of the ladder, with the strictest TikTok monetization requirements. To join, you must be 18 or older, with at least 10K followers and 100K views in the last 30 days. You also need a personal account in good standing where the program is available.
Videos must be over 1 minute long. TikTok then looks at four things: originality, play duration, search value and audience engagement. For questions about pay, use our TikTok Money Calculator, because this guide covers requirements only.
What counts toward the thresholds
These numbers aren’t just totals on a profile. TikTok’s program rules ask for an account in good standing, and its program terms say followers and views must be authentic. So eligibility comes from organic growth and original videos.
That’s why it helps to treat your follower count as a profile signal, not a ticket. A bigger count can make a new profile look established to visitors. Still, it doesn’t move you up the ladder on its own. What does move you up is posting original videos that people watch, search for and engage with.
FAQ
Can you go LIVE on TikTok with under 1,000 followers?
Possibly, depending on where you live. TikTok sets 1,000 followers as the LIVE threshold, but it says the number may vary across regions. So the quickest check is your own app. If the LIVE option appears when you tap to create, you have access. If not, keep growing and check again later.
How long do you have to wait after being rejected for Creator Rewards?
According to TikTok’s English help page, you can appeal within 30 days if you think you’re eligible. Otherwise, you can re-apply 30 days after the appeal period ends. In both cases, your account must be in good standing. Meanwhile, keep posting original videos over 1 minute long.
Do business accounts qualify for Creator Rewards?
No. Creator Rewards needs a personal account, and TikTok’s help page says business accounts aren’t eligible. If you switched to a business account for its tools, you’d need to move back to a personal account before you apply. Then you still need 10K followers and 100K views in the last 30 days.
Is TikTok Shop available outside the US with 1,000 followers?
The 1,000-follower rule in this guide comes from TikTok Shop’s US policy. Other regions set their own rules, so the number may differ where you are. Before you plan around it, check the TikTok Shop creator rules for your country. Also, check whether Shop is open to creators in your region at all.
Keep reading
Want more people to see your videos while you grow? Read our guide to the best time to post on TikTok, then see how to get more TikTok views.
Want your profile to look established while you grow? Orders get an Instant Start, and you can pay by crypto (MetaMask), card or PayPal. We only need your username, never your password. Start with our free trial. It helps a profile look established, but it doesn’t unlock any TikTok program.
