X announced that its existing revenue‑sharing program will close after September 7, replacing it with an Original Content Rewards Program that pays creators based on qualified impressions of their original posts.
New rewards structure focuses on original material
The platform defines original content as writing, reporting, photos, videos, memes or illustrations that users create themselves. Earnings will come from the number of unique impressions those pieces receive from paying subscribers.
Content that merely adds captions or simple text overlays to another user’s material will not qualify. The policy requires that any commentary or editing provide substantive value beyond a basic description.
Eligibility requirements tighten
To join the program, users must be at least 18 years old, reside in a supported country, and hold a Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription.
They also need a minimum of 500 verified followers and must have generated at least 500,000 Home timeline views from verified users within the past 90 days. Those views must come from other paying subscribers for the impressions to count.
Eligibility is not a one‑time hurdle; creators must continue meeting the thresholds to receive payouts.
Current participants in the former revenue‑sharing scheme must reapply for the new rewards program starting September 8, while those who were not in the old program can apply now.
In practice, the shift means that creators who consistently produce unique reporting, analysis or visual work stand to earn directly from the platform’s paying audience, rather than relying on broader ad revenue sharing.
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The redesign emphasizes that only material generated by the creator themselves qualifies for compensation. By requiring “meaningful commentary or analysis” when a creator incorporates another user’s post, X draws a line between simple reposting and genuine editorial contribution. This distinction aims to reward the intellectual labor involved in crafting original narratives, investigative pieces, or creative reinterpretations of existing media.
Beyond the core definition, the program’s rules make it clear that adding a brief caption or a generic text overlay does not meet the originality standard. Creators are expected to inject substantive insight, contextual framing, or artistic transformation that changes the way the original piece is perceived. This approach discourages superficial edits and encourages deeper engagement with the source material.
Eligibility hinges on a combination of age, geographic availability, and subscription status, ensuring that participants are both legally capable and financially invested in the platform. The follower requirement filters for creators who have already built a verifiable audience, while the Home timeline view metric demonstrates recent interaction from other paying users. By tying payouts to impressions from premium subscribers, the model aligns creator earnings with the platform’s revenue streams.
Maintaining eligibility over time adds an ongoing performance component. Creators cannot rely on a single burst of activity; they must sustain the level of follower engagement and view counts to continue receiving rewards. This ongoing assessment mirrors the dynamic nature of the platform’s audience and keeps the incentive structure responsive to current creator impact.
Applicants who were part of the previous revenue‑sharing program are required to submit a fresh application after the transition date, ensuring that all participants are evaluated under the same criteria. Those who have not previously participated are granted immediate access to the application process, opening the door for new talent to join the program without a waiting period.
Earlier this year, X adjusted its former revenue‑sharing scheme to give greater weight to engagement originating from a creator’s home region. That change was introduced to curb the practice of accounts presenting themselves as domestic voices while operating from abroad. While the new Original Content Rewards Program does not explicitly repeat that regional weighting rule, the focus on original, locally relevant content suggests a continued interest in aligning creator incentives with authentic audience demographics.
Overall, the transition reflects a strategic shift toward rewarding creators whose work adds distinct value to the platform, prioritizing originality, meaningful commentary, and sustained interaction from paying subscribers.