X ends revenue sharing with users

X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced the shutdown of its creator revenue-sharing programme, with the final payments to eligible creators scheduled to be made in September.

The social media platform, owned by Elon Musk, said new applications for the existing programme were closed on August 7, while the final payment cycle will cover eligible earnings through September 7.

The revenue-sharing programme allowed eligible creators to earn money from engagement generated by their posts. Participation was limited to users subscribed to a paid X Premium plan who met the platform’s eligibility requirements.

X said the decision to end the programme was driven by concerns that its incentives had encouraged some users to repurpose or repost existing content rather than produce original material. Allegra Jacchia, X’s head of creators, said the company had decided to replace the programme with a new system focused on rewarding original content.

Under the new Original Content Rewards programme, eligible creators will earn money based on qualified impressions generated by their original posts. Payments will be made every two weeks, provided creators and their content continue to meet the programme’s requirements.

X said original content could include threads, videos, memes, original reporting, analysis, commentary, reactions, photographs, graphics, illustrations and other creative work. Material that meaningfully transforms existing content through original analysis, narration, humour or creative editing may also qualify.

The platform said the new programme is designed to reward creators who contribute original ideas, expertise, creativity and value to conversations on X. For now, only creators already participating in the existing revenue-sharing programme can join the new rewards system.

To qualify, creators must be at least 18 years old, live in an eligible country, have a Personal or Business account and subscribe to a premium X plan. They must also have at least 500 verified followers and generate at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within a 90-day period. X said applications for the new programme can be submitted through Creator Studio. Applicants who are rejected will be allowed to appeal once and can reapply after 90 days if they continue to meet the requirements.

Existing creators will receive their final payments under the old programme, with the last payment covering earnings through September 7. The first payout under the new Original Content Rewards programme is scheduled for August 28, while eligible creators who enrol from September 8 are expected to receive their first payment on September 25.