X Is Overhauling Its Creator Monetization
If you’ve been earning money on X through its Revenue Sharing program, big changes are coming. The platform, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, announced it’s winding down that program and replacing it with something called Original Content Rewards.
The shift isn’t happening overnight. Existing Revenue Sharing participants will keep earning until September 7. After that, the program closes for good. New applications for the replacement program open September 8.
But here’s the catch: not everyone will get in. The new program has stricter rules, and the emphasis is squarely on originality.
What Are the New Eligibility Requirements?
To qualify for Original Content Rewards, you’ll still need an active subscription to one of X’s Premium tiers. That hasn’t changed. But the bar for entry has been raised.
You’ll need:
- At least 500 verified followers
- 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within 90 days
Those thresholds are similar to the old program, but the real difference lies in what X now considers worthy of payment.
What Counts as Original Content on X?
X has laid out clear guidelines. Original content includes:
- Original reporting and analysis
- Photos and videos you’ve created yourself
- Memes and graphics you’ve designed
- Commentary that adds meaningful value
But the company is drawing a hard line. Posts that are simply copied from another account, downloaded and re-uploaded, or reposted without meaningful transformation won’t qualify. If your content regularly relies on material created by others, you’ll need to contribute substantial original value to pass muster.
This is a direct response to a growing problem. Aggregator accounts and clickbait pages have been gaming the system, reposting viral content and pocketing the ad revenue. X tried to curb this in April by reducing payments to such accounts, but the backlash was swift — even Musk reversed some of those changes after creators complained.
Why X Says the Old Program Was Broken
In a post announcing the changes, X’s Allegra Jacchia didn’t mince words. The existing program, she said, “had reached a point where its incentives were misaligned.”
“Creators should be focused on bringing net new content to the platform instead of maximizing payouts,” she wrote. “We could have kept adding more rules and exceptions, but ultimately the better decision was to start fresh and build a program designed from day one to reward originality.”
Jacchia also promised ongoing refinements, saying X will “continue refining the program, improving our models, and raising the bar over time.”
What This Means for Creators
If you’re a current Revenue Sharing participant, you have until September 7 to keep earning under the old rules. After that, you’ll need to apply for the new program and meet the stricter criteria.
The writing is on the wall: X wants creators who bring fresh content to the platform, not those who repackage what’s already there. For original creators, this could be a win. For aggregators, it’s a dead end.
One thing’s for sure — the days of easy money on X are over. If you’re serious about earning, you’ll need to create content that’s genuinely yours.
For more on how to grow your presence and make the most of platform changes, check out our guides on X Premium features and social media monetization strategies.
