How to make money on TikTok? How it works + pro tips!

Statista reports that TikTok has over 148 million users in the United States. That’s a massive audience, and it shows how much the platform has grown beyond short clips and trends. People now use TikTok to search for ideas, learn something new, and discover products they want to try. 

With so many users relying on this app this way, it makes sense for creators and businesses to learn how money is made on the platform.

After all, the social network goes far beyond entertainment today, establishing itself as a core search tool for younger generations. This shift puts short video and authentic content at the center of the customer journey and is redefining how people discover information, products, and services.

So what do these insights reveal about how to monetize TikTok? Keep reading to turn this trend into a real opportunity for your growth.

How does TikTok monetization work?

TikTok pays creators through the Creator Rewards Program, which focuses on original, high-quality videos longer than one minute. Payouts are based on content performance. To be eligible, a video must get at least 1,000 views in the main feed.

In 2025, the program introduced the Additional Reward tier, offering extra payouts for videos that stand out in three areas:

• Well-crafted (attention to detail)
• Captivating (sparks conversations and community)
• Specialized (demonstrates expertise in a niche)

Beyond payouts, participating creators get an improved dashboard to track rewards and content performance.

TikTok’s monetization programs in the United States require creators to be at least 18 years old, use a personal account in good standing, and meet specific activity levels. To qualify, you need 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in the past 30 days, along with full compliance with TikTok guidelines.

Now that you know how TikTok monetization works, here’s how to make money in practice.

How to make money on TikTok

There are several ways to monetize on TikTok, for example:

1. Focus on longer, high-quality videos.
2. Prioritize originality.
3. Structure content for longer watch time.
4. Align your videos with popular search terms.
5. Drive engagement with useful, emotionally resonant content.
6. Aim for the Additional Reward with top-tier content.
7. Monitor and refine your strategy with the upgraded dashboard.
8. Follow the program rules to the letter.
9. Stay consistent to grow organically.

Here’s how to put each strategy into action.

1. Focus on longer, high-quality videos

Create videos over one minute in length with a structured script and pro-level editing. Use at least 1080p resolution to ensure technical quality and boost audience retention — both essential to monetizing in the program.

2. Prioritize originality

Develop a unique style with your own perspective. Copied content, light edits, or reactions (duets or stitches) are disqualified. Your creativity should be the differentiator that adds unique value not found on other profiles.

3. Structure content for longer watch time

Use tools like compelling music, strong hooks, and clear storytelling to reduce drop-off. The algorithm values videos with high retention and completion rates, which are key metrics for increasing your rewards.

4. Align your videos with popular search terms

Use the Creator Search Insights tool to identify trends. Create content that answers common questions to increase visibility in search and add “search value,” a criterion that’s directly rewarded.

5. Drive engagement with useful and emotional content

Content with strong emotional relevance or practical utility encourages comments, likes, and shares. That organic engagement is rewarded by the program and strengthens your community connection.

6. Aim for the Additional Reward with top-tier content

For extra earnings, create videos that are well-crafted (flawless editing), engaging (authenticity), and specialized (niche expertise). These three pillars qualify your content for payouts beyond the standard reward.

7. Monitor and refine your strategy with the upgraded dashboard

Track metrics like views, link clicks, conversion rate, sales generated, total revenue, video retention, and performance by content type.

These insights show what actually moves the needle. Use them to adjust formats, posting times, and your approach in LIVEs.

8. Follow the program rules to the letter

Make sure each video earns a minimum of 1,000 qualified views in the For You feed. Avoid sponsored content or any Community Guidelines violations to prevent disqualification.

9. Stay consistent to grow organically

Consistently posting long, high-quality videos can triple your follower growth. Consistency builds authority in your niche and maximizes long-term earning opportunities.

How to sell your products on TikTok Shop

Selling on TikTok Shop is built right into the platform, allowing creators and brands to sell directly in the app. To open a TikTok Shop, you’ll need to:

1. Create an account on the TikTok Seller Center.
2. Choose your account type.
3. Submit documents for verification.
4. Set up your shop.
5. Add products.
6. Configure shipping and policies.
7. Start selling and promoting.

People can place orders and check out without leaving TikTok for a convenient and seamless experience. Products appear via links in videos, on your in-app shop page, or during live streams.

For creators, one of the main ways to earn is affiliate income, getting a commission on products sold through your account. You must be 18+ and have built a TikTok community. The seller selects which products to work with on the Product Details Page.

The tool also makes brand partnerships easier and gives access to exclusive resources and training to optimize sales, building on the trust audiences place in creator recommendations.

How do gifts work on TikTok?

Gifts on TikTok let followers financially support creators during LIVEs. Viewers buy and send virtual items that the creator receives as in-app digital coins. These can be converted into cash, creating an extra revenue stream for live creators.

Creators accumulate these coins and can later cash them out as real money, turning community support and engagement into a direct financial reward.

To receive gifts, you must meet the platform’s requirements, including being 18+ and having an engaged community. The tool is integrated with the app’s shopping experience and lets fans complete transactions without leaving the stream.

It’s a key feature for earning and strengthening bonds with fans in an interactive way.

How to earn commissions with the TikTok Affiliates Program

The main way to earn in the Affiliates Program is through competitive commissions on the ad spend you drive. In other words, you receive a percentage of what an advertiser spends in TikTok Ads after being referred by you.

The program also lets you hit bonus goals tied to specific earning objectives for extra income. Plus, there are incentives with exclusive coupons you can offer your audience—each use earns you a commission.

To succeed and increase commissions, it helps to become a pro in TikTok Ads Manager. That expertise boosts your credibility and lets you offer quality consulting to your audience. By helping them build better campaigns, you encourage more ad investment—and in turn, grow your affiliate earnings.

How to create content that converts on TikTok

On TikTok, content that converts is content that drives sales or financial rewards. That starts with quality and originality. According to the Creator Rewards Program, original, well-produced videos over one minute are the foundation. Specifically for the “Additional Reward,” content needs to be:

• Well-crafted: attention to detail in production
• Captivating: able to spark meaningful conversations and strengthen community
• Specialized: demonstrating expertise in a specific niche with a unique, valuable perspective

For direct sales conversion in TikTok Shop, the strategy shifts. Content should authentically recommend products — either in traditional videos or during LIVE sessions.

How to monetize TikTok and turn your audience into revenue

There are three main paths to monetize your audience on TikTok, as outlined in the platform’s official info:

1. TikTok Shop: direct sales and affiliation
2. Creator Rewards Program: content-based monetization
3. Brand Partnerships: commercial collaborations

Here’s how each option works.

1. TikTok Shop: direct sales and affiliation

Sign up as an affiliate right on the platform and select products aligned with your niche on the Product Details Page.

Be practical. Integrate those products organically into your videos and especially your LIVE sessions, which is the perfect time to demo in real time and add urgency with exclusive coupons.

The whole journey happens in-app: your audience views, clicks, and checks out without leaving TikTok, and you earn affiliate income on every completed sale.

2. Creator Rewards Program: monetize your content

This option pays you directly for your videos. Focus on original, high-quality content over one minute long that gets at least 1,000 views in the For You feed.

To maximize earnings, go beyond the basics: create video series that spark meaningful conversations and build community. These criteria are critical to unlocking the “Additional Reward.” An enhanced dashboard in TikTok Studio lets you track performance and revenue in detail.

3. Brand Partnerships: commercial collaborations

Your visibility and performance in TikTok Shop are a powerful calling card. Use your profile data — reach, engagement, and especially sales conversion rates — to attract and negotiate long-term brand deals.

The platform notes that users trust brands introduced by creators, which makes your recommendation valuable in itself. You can combine these partnerships with other monetization methods to diversify your income.

What are the must-track metrics and tools?

To optimize your TikTok performance, track specific metrics using the platform’s official tools. The Creator Rewards dashboard is your central hub, where you monitor qualified views in the For You feed (essential to hit the 1,000 minimum) and your accumulated rewards.

To level up results, analyze which videos generate the highest RPM (revenue per thousand views) so you can identify and replicate winning strategies. Engagement metrics are also crucial for the Additional Reward.

Also track watch time and completion rate—they show your content’s ability to hold attention. Comments and shares reflect how captivating your content is and how well it builds community — factors that are directly rewarded.

If you use TikTok Shop, your core metric is conversion rate for each video or LIVE. That helps you prioritize the formats and products that sell best.

Finally, don’t overlook Training Tools and the Search Insights tool. They offer trend information and best practices so you can continually refine your analysis and content strategy.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about making money on TikTok

Do I need a lot of followers to start earning?

Not necessarily. Programs like TikTok Shop and the Affiliates Program let you earn with a small following. For the LIVE Gifts program, you’ll need 1,000 followers. Strategies like direct sales and viral content can generate revenue even with a small audience, as long as you have a defined niche and engagement.

How much are LIVEs and gifts worth on the platform?

Gifts are converted into “diamonds.” Each item has a set value, and the creator receives roughly 50% of what the viewer paid. For example, a gift that costs 100 coins (about $1.00) can yield 50 diamonds to the creator. You can cash out once you reach the minimum balance, which varies by region.

What is TikTok Shop and how does it work?

It’s a marketplace integrated into TikTok where creators and brands sell products directly in the app. Sellers list items, and creators can promote them in videos and LIVEs with direct purchase links. The platform handles payments and logistics, and sellers earn a percentage on each sale driven by their content.

How does the affiliates program work, and what are the requirements?

The program lets you promote third-party products in TikTok Shop and earn a commission per sale. Basic requirements: be 18+, have a valid account, and follow community guidelines. There’s no minimum follower count. Just sign up as an affiliate, choose products from the catalog, generate unique links, and create authentic content to encourage purchases.

How do I get paid on the platform?

Your earnings are consolidated in your TikTok Shop or Creator Program dashboard. Link a bank account or supported payment method (like PayPal) in settings. Payouts happen on a schedule (e.g., weekly or when you hit a minimum threshold), and funds are deposited after platform fees are deducted.

Which products perform best on TikTok Shop?

Visually striking products with a “wow factor” stand out: beauty items, budget-friendly electronics, clever home gadgets, trend-led fashion, and toys. Impulse-priced options (low cost) that solve a problem quickly convert well. Demonstrating the product in a practical, engaging way is critical across categories.

Can I use paid ads to boost sales?

Yes, via TikTok Ads. You can run targeted campaigns to boost videos tied to TikTok Shop products or drive traffic to your website. It’s an effective way to reach beyond your followers, scale views for hot products, and drive direct sales with native ads in users’ feeds.

Attract customers with marketing content that stands out

Now that you know how to make money on TikTok, it’s time to build your professional presence on the platform. If you need help getting started, GoDaddy Digital Marketing can help. Using this suite of tools, you’ll be able to build your brand and create professional content simply and efficiently. 

You can create social media posts, stories, digital ads, promotions, and other branded content without any prior design skills required. 

Using GoDaddy Digital Marketing, you’re able to:

• Get inspired with professionally-created templates to create on-trend content.
• Create a unique and recognizable logo (and add to any content you create).
• Design new content with your preferred fonts, stock images, and graphics.
• Produce scroll-stopping online videos without any technical experience.

Visibility on TikTok is just the start. You need a professional foundation to turn it into a durable digital business. From your first viral video to a sustainable venture, GoDaddy gives you the tools for every step of your journey.