Creator Funds Explained: Which Platforms Still Pay in 2025?

Remember when everyone rushed to join TikTok's Creator Fund like it was a gold mine? Fast-forward to 2025, and things have changed—some platforms are doubling down on creator payouts, while others have pivoted hard. If you're trying to turn your short-form content into cash, here's the real scoop on which creator funds are still worth your time and which ones have faded into internet legend.

Let’s break it down platform by platform—because yeah, not all “creator funds” are created equal.

TikTok: The Original Creator Fund Is Gone, But It’s Not Over

TikTok officially retired its Creator Fund in 2023, replacing it with the Creativity Program Beta, and now in 2025, that program has gone global and solidified into the TikTok Creativity Program.

How it works now:

• Your video must be over 60 seconds long
• You need 10K followers and at least 100K views in the last 30 days
• Monetization is based on qualified views, not engagement or likes
• Videos under a minute? Zero payout

Is it worth it?
If you’re making longer educational, storytelling, or reaction-style content, yes. The CPMs (cost per thousand views) range from $0.50–$1.50—not life-changing, but way better than the pennies-per-million that the old Creator Fund paid.

But for quick, punchy 15-second clips? You’re not seeing a dime.

YouTube Shorts: Ad Revenue Over Fund Cash

YouTube's Shorts Fund made headlines back in the day with its $100M budget. That’s history now. In its place, YouTube went full ad revenue share in 2023—and it’s still going strong.

What’s the model?

• You get a cut of ads shown between Shorts
• You must be part of the YouTube Partner Program (1K subs + 10M Shorts views in 90 days)
• Revenue is pooled, split with music rights holders, and then you get your slice

What’s the payout look like?
On average, creators report earning $0.04 to $0.06 per 1,000 views, but it varies wildly based on watch time, country, and content niche. Fitness and business tips usually pay more than dance trends or memes.

Verdict: It’s not as lucrative as long-form YouTube, but it’s real money—and scalable if you’re consistent.

Instagram Reels: Bonus Roulette

Instagram’s Reels Play Bonus program is basically in ghost mode. In early 2024, Meta paused payouts for most U.S. creators, and by 2025, it’s mostly available by invite-only in select countries like India and Brazil.

The current state:

• No way to apply—it’s all algorithm + regional testing
• Bonuses vary wildly: some creators get $100, others $8,000
• Meta hasn’t released consistent criteria

Is it viable?
Unless you’re one of the lucky few tapped by Meta’s regional team, don’t count on Reels bonuses as a primary income stream. Focus on brand deals and affiliate instead.

Facebook: Surprise Comeback with Ad Revenue

Facebook Reels were the underdog, but in 2025, Meta has quietly rolled out ad revenue share on Reels globally.

Key points:

• You must have 5K followers, 60K minutes watched in the last 60 days, and 5 active videos
• Ads run as overlay or post-roll
• You get 55% of ad revenue (similar to YouTube)

Earnings potential:
Facebook’s CPMs tend to be lower than YouTube’s, but because of its massive reach, some creators are quietly earning hundreds per month without even trying.

Tip: Reuse your Instagram Reels on Facebook—it’s almost zero extra effort.

Snapchat: Spotlight Still Pays (Kind Of)

Remember Snapchat Spotlight? Yeah, it’s still around—and yes, it still pays creators. But it’s way more competitive now.

How it works:

• Submit videos under 60 seconds
• If your video is picked by their team and performs well, you get a payout
• No fixed CPM or revenue share—just “performance-based bonus”

Real talk:
The golden days of $1M daily payouts are long gone. Most creators who get paid now earn in the low hundreds, and it’s unpredictable. But hey, if you're already posting elsewhere, why not throw it up on Spotlight too?

Pinterest: For the Niche Educators

Pinterest launched its Creator Rewards program with a lot of buzz, then quietly shut it down in 2023. But in 2025, Pinterest has leaned into brand collaboration tools instead.

You don’t get paid per view anymore—but you can land brand campaigns directly on the platform through Pinterest’s internal creator hub. Think of it as matchmaking for sponsored pins.

Bottom line: No fund, but there’s still money to be made—if your content fits Pinterest’s vibe (DIY, recipes, travel, parenting, etc.)

Other Up-and-Comers: Who’s Trying to Woo Creators in 2025?

1. Lemon8 – TikTok’s sister app is experimenting with micro-creator bonuses in Asia and LATAM, but not widely available yet.

2. LinkedIn – Yes, really. The platform is now pushing short-form “knowledge clips,” and a few career creators are getting paid for engagement via LinkedIn's Creator Accelerator grants.

3. Kick and Rumble – Still mostly live/video-first platforms, but experimenting with shorts. Some creators are being offered upfront guarantees or tipping incentives.

Translation? Don’t ditch your main platforms—but keep an eye on the newcomers.

So… Which One Pays Best in 2025?

There’s no single winner. But here’s the quick cheat sheet:

If you're chasing steady income, YouTube Shorts and TikTok’s new program are your best bet. For everyone else, it’s about stacking: post everywhere, double dip, and add affiliate or sponsor income on top.