How to Get Paid on X in 2026: What Replaced X Creator Revenue Sharing

Last updated: 26 October 2026.

X Creator Revenue Sharing no longer exists: X stopped accepting new members on 7 August 2026 and retired the programme on 7 September 2026. Its replacement, the Original Content Rewards Program, pays eligible creators for qualified impressions on original posts. To apply you need an X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription (or an eligible plan on The X Subscription), at least 500 verified followers and at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users in the last 90 days.

Below we cover what changed, the full eligibility rules, how payouts work for UK creators, the other ways to earn on X, and how to reach the thresholds without breaking the rules.

What happened to X Creator Revenue Sharing?

X closed Creator Revenue Sharing and moved monetisation to a programme that rewards original content only. According to X’s Creator Revenue Sharing help page, existing members received three final payouts, and former members could apply for the new programme from 8 September 2026 if they met its requirements.

If you were planning to hit the old targets, the numbers have changed, so check the new criteria below before you set goals.

Original Content Rewards: eligibility requirements

You must meet every requirement at the time you apply. X’s Original Content Rewards help page lists the following:

• Be 18 or over.
• Live in a supported country. The United Kingdom is on the list.
• Have an account in good standing, with no history of repeatedly breaking X’s Monetization Guidelines or Terms of Service.
• Use a personal or business account (political and government organisations are excluded).
• Hold an active X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription, or a Plus, Premium, Super or Ultra plan on The X Subscription.
• Have at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users in the last 90 days. Impressions on replies do not count.
• Have at least 500 verified followers.
• Actively post original content.

Once you qualify, you submit a short application through Creator Studio. If you are rejected, you can appeal once, and you can reapply after 42 days if you still meet the requirements.

How do the new rules compare with Creator Revenue Sharing?

The headline impressions figure is lower, but only impressions from verified users count towards it, and only original content earns.

How are Original Content Rewards payouts calculated?

You earn from qualified impressions on your original posts. X defines these as unique impressions from Premium users (subscribers to Premium Basic, Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business) on the Home Timeline feed, where at least 50% of the post is visible.

That has three practical consequences:

• Your audience matters, not just your reach. Views from non-subscribers do not count towards payouts.
• Repeat views do not stack. Impressions must be unique.
• Posts must be seen properly. A post scrolled past with less than half on screen does not qualify.

X does not publish a rate per 1,000 impressions, and payouts vary, so treat any fixed “X pays £X per million views” claim with suspicion. See our glossary for the difference between impressions and reach.

What counts as original content on X?

Original content is material you create that reflects your own voice, perspective or expertise. Commentary on news and world events can qualify if it adds genuine perspective.

X lists four types that do not qualify:

• Copied content: taken entirely from other creators or sources with no original contribution.
• Minimally modified content: reproductions with only slight changes, such as a word or two.
• Aggregated content: compilations without substantial new perspective.
• Cross-platform reposts: content from other platforms reposted by someone who did not create it.

The rules also tell creators not to solicit engagement by repeatedly asking people to like, reply, bookmark, follow or repost.

How do UK creators get paid on X?

Outside the US, X pays through Stripe. You connect a Stripe account and complete identity verification, and payouts are processed every two weeks once you have at least $30 in earnings. US creators are paid through an X Money account instead.

Money you earn from X is income, so it may need to be reported to HMRC. Our guide to whether influencers pay tax in the UK covers the £1,000 trading allowance and Self Assessment. This article is general information, not tax advice.

Other ways to get paid on X: Creator Subscriptions

Creator Subscriptions let followers pay you a monthly fee for exclusive posts. The bar is higher than for Original Content Rewards. According to X’s Creator Subscriptions page, you must:

• be 18 or older
• have been active in the past 30 days
• have at least 2,000 verified followers
• have at least 5M organic impressions within the last 3 months

X says creators can earn up to about 97% of gross subscription revenue, with deductions for app store or payment processing fees, refunds and chargebacks. The minimum payout is $50, and payments usually arrive around 60 days after the end of the month in which the revenue was earned. Subscriptions are available in the UK, with international payouts via Stripe.

How to grow your X account to qualify

Focus on original posts that Premium users want to see and share. These tactics fit the new rules:

1. Own a niche. Accounts known for one subject tend to build a returning audience faster. Our guide to growing an X account in 2026 covers positioning.
2. Write takes, not summaries. Add analysis, experience or data to news rather than restating it, which also keeps posts eligible.
3. Reply well to larger accounts in your field. Thoughtful early replies put your name in front of their audience.
4. Post useful reference material. Write threads and long posts worth saving; see why bookmarks are a quiet ranking signal.
5. Stay in good standing. Avoid spammy behaviour that could limit your reach or eligibility.
6. Track verified-user impressions. Creator Studio shows whether you qualify, so check progress there rather than relying on total views.

Can you buy engagement to qualify faster?

No, and you should not try. X’s Creator Monetization Standards prohibit attempts to artificially inflate engagement, and breaches can lead to limited reach or monetisation being paused or revoked. Any promotion you use should be for visibility and social proof, never to game payout thresholds.

Before you apply, check how your audience is actually responding to your posts. Our free engagement rate calculator shows whether your Twitter likes and replies are in a healthy range for your follower count.

Frequently asked questions

Is X Creator Revenue Sharing still available?

No. It closed to new members on 7 August 2026 and was retired on 7 September 2026. Its replacement is the Original Content Rewards Program.

How many impressions do you need to get paid on X?

For Original Content Rewards, you need at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users in the last 90 days, plus 500 verified followers and a Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription (or an eligible plan on The X Subscription).

Can UK creators get paid on X?

Yes. The UK is a supported country for Original Content Rewards and Creator Subscriptions, and payouts go through a Stripe account after identity verification.

How much does X pay per 1,000 impressions?

X does not publish a fixed rate. Earnings depend on qualified impressions from Premium users on your original content, so figures quoted online vary widely and should not be relied on.

Do I need X Premium to earn money on X?

For Original Content Rewards, yes: you need Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business, or a Plus, Premium, Super or Ultra plan on The X Subscription. X’s Creator Subscriptions page does not list Premium as a requirement, but it does require 2,000 verified followers and 5M organic impressions in three months.

Monetisation on X now rewards one thing above all: original posts that Premium users actually read. Build the audience first and the payouts follow. If you are launching a new account or campaign and want it to look established while your content finds its audience, our Twitter/X services can add social proof, but keep them separate from any attempt to qualify for payouts.