How Does X (Formerly Twitter) Pay Creators?

Introduction.

If you’ve spent time on X (formerly Twitter), you’ve probably noticed more and more creators are starting to talk about getting paid for their content.

As social media platforms evolve, so do the opportunities for creators to earn revenue, and X is no exception.

With Elon Musk at the helm, X has introduced new monetization options for users, allowing creators to be compensated for their contributions to the platform.

But how does it work? Let’s take a deep dive into how X pays its creators and what that means for anyone trying to make money on the platform.

How Does X (Formerly Twitter) Pay Creators?

X offers a few different ways for creators to monetize their accounts, depending on the type of content they produce and the size of their audience. Here’s a breakdown of the main methods:

Ad Revenue Sharing: This is one of the more recent updates. X now allows creators to earn a portion of the ad revenue that appears in replies to their posts. This means that if you’re someone who gets a lot of engagement on your posts, you could potentially earn money from the ads that show up in the replies.
- Eligibility: You need to be subscribed to X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) and have at least 500 followers. In addition, you need to have generated at least 15 million impressions in the last three months.
- Payouts: X uses Stripe to handle payments, and creators report earnings every month based on their impressions and engagement.
Subscriptions (Super Follows): Creators can charge their followers a subscription fee to access exclusive content. This feature is available to users with at least 10,000 followers and who post at least 25 tweets a month. Subscribers might get access to behind-the-scenes content, exclusive conversations, or other perks.
Tips: X allows users to send money directly to their favorite creators through the platform. If you have a large following or just some super loyal fans, you can add the tipping feature to your profile, and anyone can send you money via PayPal, Venmo, or other payment services.
Paid Spaces: Spaces, the live audio feature on X, also has a monetization option. Creators can charge a fee for listeners to join their live audio conversations. While this is a bit more niche, it’s a great way for creators with an established audience to engage and get paid for real-time content.

How Much Can You Earn on X?

Earnings on X depend on a combination of factors: your audience size, the level of engagement you get, and which monetization features you use.

For example, in July 2023, Elon Musk shared that X had started paying creators, with some receiving tens of thousands of dollars in ad revenue share.

Musk himself has tweeted screenshots from creators showing payments ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $30,000.

However, like most social media platforms, the reality is that only a small percentage of creators will make substantial income.

The majority will earn smaller amounts unless they have a massive following or generate viral-level engagement.

For Ad Revenue Sharing, X doesn’t explicitly publish how much it pays per impression, but creators speculate that payouts are heavily influenced by engagement rates and the number of ads in your post replies.

Some estimates suggest creators can earn around $5-$10 per 1,000 impressions, though these numbers are fluid and can change depending on a variety of factors.

For Subscriptions, the platform reportedly takes a 3% cut of earnings up to $50,000, after which it takes 20%. Meanwhile, Tips and Paid Spaces allow creators to keep nearly all of their earnings, with minimal deductions for transaction fees.

Pros of X’s Monetization System

Multiple Revenue Streams: Creators can earn through ads, subscriptions, tips, and live Spaces, allowing for flexibility.
Low Barrier to Entry: The threshold to start earning via ads (500 followers and X Premium) is relatively low compared to platforms like YouTube, where creators need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
Direct Payouts: Payments are handled through Stripe, meaning they’re automatic and processed monthly, making it simple for creators to receive earnings regularly.
Engagement-Driven Payouts: Unlike traditional ads, X’s ad revenue model rewards creators based on the level of interaction and engagement with their posts, meaning more active communities can lead to bigger payouts.

Cons of X’s Monetization System

Reliance on X Premium: To participate in ad revenue sharing, you have to subscribe to X Premium, which costs $8 per month. This fee may deter smaller creators who aren’t sure if they’ll earn enough to cover the cost.
Engagement-Dependent: Creators who don’t get a ton of replies or engagement on their posts won’t benefit much from the ad revenue-sharing program. It’s not enough to have a large following—you need people interacting with your content.
Limited Global Reach: While X is a global platform, monetization options like Super Follows and Paid Spaces are currently only available in select countries, limiting opportunities for creators in regions where these features haven’t been rolled out yet.
Payment Delays: Some creators have reported delays in receiving their payments, especially during the initial rollout of the ad revenue-sharing program. There can be occasional hiccups with payouts, particularly when dealing with Stripe.

Conclusion

The introduction of monetization tools on X is a huge win for creators looking to make money from their social media presence.

Whether it’s through ad revenue sharing, subscriptions, tips, or paid Spaces, there are plenty of options available.

However, like with any platform, it takes time and effort to build an audience that will generate significant income.

Some might find the fees and requirements a bit limiting, especially for smaller creators who are just starting.

If you’re thinking of monetizing your presence on X, it’s worth considering how engaged your audience is and which methods would work best for your content style.

While the payout potential can be lucrative, it may require strategic planning to reach the level of consistent earnings.

What do you think—will you try to monetize your X presence or stick to other platforms?