How To Make Money on TikTok in 2025 (And How to Maximise Your Earnings as a Creator)

Monetizing Your Creativity

Imagine you spend hours into creating a attention grabbing, scroll-stopping Tiktok Video, post it, then log in to see that your video not only has low views, but also does not even produce enough engagement to begin consistently Monetizing on Tiktok. We understand that that can be soul crushing!

We feel all Tiktok creators deserve clarity and rewards for every laugh, lesson, or jaw-dropping insights they provide viewers with. So if you'd like to better understand how to get paid on Tiktok for following your creativity, or how to increase how much you get paid by Tiktok, you're in the right place! In this article we'll be breaking down the various ways TikTok pays creators in 2025, how the Tiktok algorithm works, and how you can maximise your earnings as a creator.

How TikTok Pays Creators

In this section, we'll break down how Tiktok's payouts and Monetization program works - from the legacy of the Creator Fund and the rise of the Creativity Program, through Live Gifts, Tips, and Subscriptions, all the way to brand partnerships via the Creator Marketplace.

By the end, you'll understand exactly where your next dollar, pound or penny could come from and what you need to do to claim it.

• Sunset of the Creator Fund

  Originally launched in 2020, the $2 billion Creator Fund was retired on December 16, 2023 after creators voiced confusion over low, flat-rate payouts (around $0.02–$0.04 per view) and opaque thresholds. This was the primary way for creators to earn money on TikTok, but it has since been replaced by newer and more lucrative programs.

• Creators Rewards Program

  Replacing the old Creator Fund, the Tiktok Creators Rewards program was launched in early 2024 to reward original, long-form videos (≥1 minute) and offering a higher RPM (i.e. Revenue Per Thousand Views) than the previous Creator Fund. This program currently aims to incentivise creators to produce high-quality, engaging content that keeps viewers hooked and coming back for more.

Other Revenue Streams

Tiktok also provides other revenue streams for its creators:

• Live Gifts

  Fans can send virtual gifts during Lives (e.g. "Diamonds") that can be converted by Creators to cash. Although, TikTok retains a commission, creators can profit on roughly half the gift value.

• Tips & Subscriptions

  Viewers can tip creators outside of Live sessions (tips go directly to creators, minus payment-processing fees). Viewer can also join subscriptions (monthly fan clubs) to unlock exclusive content with creators they like. Creators can generally keeping 80–90 % post-platform fees.

• Creator Marketplace

  This is Tiktoks built-in brand-partnership hub where brands post briefs and you can pitch collaborations with brands who can then pay you for sponsored content. Negotiations and contracts happen within the platform, but payments go directly to you, allowing you to keep 100 % of your negotiated fee (minus any agreed processing fees/commissions).

How the TikTok Algorithm Works in 2025

TikTok's algorithm can sometimes feel mysterious or random, but at its core it's a set of clear signals and stages designed to surface the most relevant content you - and your audience - care about most. Let's unpack the three pillars of performance so you know exactly which areas you need to ensure high reach and success of your content:

Key Metrics

These metrics are the building blocks the Tiktok algorithm measures on every single video:

• Watch Time & Retention

  This is the total seconds watched and the percentage of your video viewers actually stick around for. This metric is important to be aware of because TikTok rewards content that holds attention. A video with a 75 % average watch rate will get far more traction and higher payout bonuses than one that only hooks viewers for the first 2 seconds.

  Pro Tip: Aim for narrative arcs or surprise reveals around the 20–30 second mark to keep people watching past 50 % of the clip.

• Replays & Saves

  This refers to how often your audience chooses to loop back or bookmark your video for later. Their algorithm interprets them as a signal that your content has high replay value and saves indicate that users find your content so valuable they want to return to it.

  Pro Tip: Use looping edits (seamless end-to-start cuts) and include a "save this for later" overlay when sharing tips, tutorials, or recipe hacks.

• Shares & Comments

  This tracks the number of times viewers either forwards your video to friends family or drop a comment. Sharing helps to spark network effects and allows your video to travel outside its initial bubble; and comments, especially thoughtful ones, signal true engagement and community building. A high ratio of comments-to-views tells TikTok your video is "conversation-worthy."

  Pro Tip: End with an open question ("Which of these would you try first?") or a two-choice prompt ("Team A vs. Team B—vote below!") to drive more substantial comments.

Armed with these insights into TikTok's algorithm and performance metrics, you can create content that not only impresses your audience but also maximises your chances of landing on the For You page - and, ultimately, boosting your Monetization potential.

Summary & Next Steps

In 2025, TikTok's Monetization ecosystem is more rewarding than ever — if you know how to play it right. From the end of the Creator Fund to the rise of the Creativity Program, long-form content, Live Gifts, and direct brand deals, TikTok is shifting toward creators who build authentic engagement, consistency, and retention. Ensure you:

• • Understand how the algorithm measures value (watch time, replays, shares)
• • Stay eligible by building a niche and following the Monetization Readiness Checklist
• • Create content that aligns with TikTok's evolving priorities and community guidelines