Several major social media platforms have announced updates to their monetization policies, affecting how creators and influencers can earn money online. These changes aim to give more opportunities to creators while also tightening rules around content eligibility, eligibility criteria, and payout systems.
Social media monetization has become an important source of income for millions of content creators in India and around the world. With short videos, live streams, affiliate marketing, and subscription features growing rapidly, platforms are updating the rules to balance creator earnings and platform sustainability.
New Eligibility Criteria for Monetization
Most social media companies are introducing stricter eligibility criteria before creators can start earning. This includes requirements such as minimum follower counts, minimum watch hours, and adherence to community guidelines.
For example, platforms now require creators to have a specific number of followers and consistent engagement before they can apply for monetization features like ads, brand deals, or fan support badges.
Changes in Revenue Sharing
Several platforms have updated their revenue sharing rules. In some cases, creators may receive a larger share of earnings from in-app ad revenue or subscriptions, while in others, higher platform fees may be introduced.
For video content, the updated rules clearly define how ad revenue will be split between creators and the platform. This means creators will now need to understand which content types are eligible for revenue share and how payouts will be calculated.
Revised Guidelines for Short Video Earnings
Short-form video content has exploded in popularity in recent years, and platforms are prioritizing monetization for creators who produce high-quality, original content.
Under the new rules, short videos must meet content quality standards, such as originality, viewer retention, and community guideline compliance, to qualify for earning bonuses or ad shares. Reused or repurposed content may not qualify for monetization on some platforms.
Live Stream Monetization Updates
Live stream monetization features, such as paid gifts, badges, tipping, and fan subscriptions, have also been updated. Platforms are expanding access to monetization tools for live creators, but only if they meet specific criteria related to audience size and activity.
Some platforms are now requiring creators to host a minimum number of live sessions or maintain a certain level of live engagement each month to stay eligible for rewards and payouts.
New Subscription & Membership Features
Several social networks have introduced or expanded subscription and membership tools. These allow creators to offer exclusive content, early access, or personalized interactions to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.
This model gives creators more control over recurring income but comes with rules for pricing, refund policies, and content delivery requirements.
Impact on Influencers and Small Creators
The rules changes have mixed impacts:
- Positive: Higher revenue share and additional monetization features benefit long-term creators.
- Challenging: Stricter eligibility and quality filters make it harder for new creators to start earning immediately.
Experts say aspiring creators should focus on building genuine engagement, creating original content, and understanding platform policies to maximize earnings.
Platform-Specific Highlights
- Video platforms: Ad revenue splits and bonus programs updated.
- Short video apps: Quality criteria introduced for earning bonuses.
- Live streaming: New minimum engagement requirements added.
- Subscriptions: Expanded tools for paid memberships and exclusive access.
As social media evolves, platforms continue adjusting monetization systems to ensure fair earnings for creators while maintaining a safe environment for users. Creators are therefore advised to stay updated with official notifications and adapt their content strategies accordingly.
For more news on digital platforms, creator tools, and online earning updates, stay tuned to RJPL Insight.