How Many TikTok Followers Do You Need to Start Making Money?
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Monetizing on TikTok isn’t just reserved for users with massive followings—creators at all levels can start earning through a variety of means. Here's a breakdown of what you can qualify for at different follower milestones:
Under 1,000 Followers
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Brand-Sponsored Challenges via Third-Party Platforms: Even with fewer than 1,000 followers, creators can participate in marketing challenges on platforms like Pearpop, earning rewards based on video performance.
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Around 1,000 Followers
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Branded Missions & Livestreaming: Hitting 1,000 followers opens the door to TikTok’s branded missions, livestream gifts (if you're over 16), and access to the TikTok Shop affiliate program.
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Around 10,000 Followers
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Creator Fund & Marketplace Access: With 10K followers, you're eligible to join the TikTok Creator Fund, and apply for TikTok’s Creator Marketplace or branded content opportunities.
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Earnings via Creator Fund: This program pays based on views and engagement, though payouts tend to be modest.
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Around 50,000 Followers
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Expanded Opportunities: At this level, you can access paywalled series, potentially become eligible for higher-level brand collaborations, and generally benefit from better visibility.
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100,000+ Followers
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Premium Monetization Tools:
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TikTok Pulse: A revenue-sharing program for creators in the top 4% of all videos that offers a 50% share of ad revenue.
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Tips & Fan Gifting: Creators over 100,000 followers can activate the "Tip" button and receive virtual gifts or tips.Real Creator Insights
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Creators often share that follower numbers don't automatically translate to earnings. Challenges include eligibility limitations in certain regions or inconsistent monetization support:
“Don’t do it in Canada… not a single penny for any of those views.”
— A creator with 770K followers and millions of views, but no earnings due to region restrictions.
Quick Reference Table
| Follower Count | Monetization Options |
|---|---|
| < 1,000 | Third-party brand challenges (e.g., Pearpop) |
| 1,000 | Branded missions, live gifting, TikTok Shop affiliate |
| 10,000 | TikTok Creator Fund, Creator Marketplace, brand deals |
| 50,000 | Paywalled content, larger collaboration opportunities |
| 100,000+ | TikTok Pulse, tips/gifts, high-paying brand deals |
Final Word
Yes, even small creators can start earning on TikTok—especially through affiliate links, brand challenges, or livestreams. Each increase in followers brings new monetization options, with the most lucrative tools reserved for larger audiences. However, success often depends on your location and how creatively you leverage the platform.
Want help optimizing your TikTok for earning, or crafting strategy to reach those monetization milestones faster?