X overhauls creator monetisation with new rewards programme

Social media platform X has announced plans to discontinue its Revenue Sharing programme and replace it with a new Original Content Rewards programme aimed at rewarding creators for producing original content.

The company announced the changes on Friday through its X Creators handle, saying the new programme would recognise creators who contribute original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary to the platform.

X said it would stop accepting new applications for the Revenue Sharing programme immediately, while existing participants would continue to earn from the programme until September 7, 2026.

Existing participants will receive three final payouts, with payments scheduled for August 14 and August 28, while the final payment for earnings accrued through September 7 is expected around September 11.

The company said existing Revenue Sharing participants would be able to apply for the new Original Content Rewards programme from September 8, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.

The first payout under the new programme is scheduled for August 28, while creators transitioning from Revenue Sharing who enrol from September 8 are expected to receive their first payment on September 25.

Under the new system, eligible creators will earn based on qualified impressions generated by their original posts, with payments made every two weeks.

X said qualified impressions would be unique impressions from Premium users on the Home Timeline, provided at least 50 per cent of the post is visible.

The company said repeated impressions from the same account, paid or promoted impressions, artificially generated impressions and fraudulent impressions would not count.

To qualify for the programme, creators must be at least 18 years old, live in an eligible country, maintain an account in good standing and operate either a personal or business account.

They must also subscribe to X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business, have at least 500 verified followers and record at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the preceding 90 days.

X said creators must continue to regularly publish original content to remain eligible.

The platform said qualifying content could include threads, videos, memes, graphics, illustrations, reporting, analysis, commentary and reactions that add meaningful value to ongoing conversations.

However, X warned that simply reposting another person’s content would not qualify. Creators using third-party material must add meaningful commentary, context, analysis, humour or creative transformation.

The company said minor modifications such as cropping, filters, borders, watermarks, speed changes or simple text overlays would generally not constitute meaningful transformation.

It also excluded copied or substantially reproduced content, material downloaded and re-uploaded without being the original creator’s, automated content, disinformation and misleading content.

Creators found violating the programme’s requirements could be suspended or permanently removed from the programme, depending on the severity of the violation.

X also said creators would be responsible for obtaining the necessary rights, permissions or licences when using content produced by others.

The company described original content as material personally created by an individual that reflects the creator’s voice, perspective, expertise or creativity.

X said the new programme was designed to reward creators who generate original ideas and help shape conversations on the platform.