Facebook Gaming has become an increasingly popular platform for videogame livestreaming and content creation. With over 2.5 billion monthly active users on Facebook, there is a massive potential audience for Facebook Gaming streamers to build their followings. However, how much money can you actually make as a Facebook streamer? Here is an overview of the Facebook Gaming creator monetization options and average earnings.
Facebook Gaming Partner Program
The Facebook Gaming Partner Program allows eligible gaming creators to earn money from their livestreams and on-demand videos. To join the program, you need at least 60,000 total minutes broadcast in the last 60 days, at least 300 average concurrent viewers in the last 30 days, and be in good standing on Facebook.
Once accepted into the program, you can earn money through advertisements played during your streams. Facebook pays out 55% of the ad revenue generated on your gaming content. The exact ad earnings will depend on factors like a creator’s viewership, stream duration, ad inventory, and more. Top Facebook streamers can earn thousands of dollars per month through the Partner Program.
Facebook Stars
Facebook Stars are virtual goods that fans can purchase during livestreams to support creators. One Star is worth $0.01 USD. Fans can send Stars as a tip to the streamer or use Stars to unlock special perks like exclusive chat privileges.
Facebook takes a 30% platform fee from Star purchases. The remaining 70% goes to the creator. Stars are a significant revenue stream for many top Facebook streamers. Popular streamers can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of Stars during a single stream.
Facebook Gaming Subscriptions
Facebook Gaming recently introduced channel subscriptions. Fans can pay $4.99 per month to subscribe to their favorite streamers and unlock perks like custom emoji and exclusive live chat access.
Creator revenue share from subscriptions is 70% – the same split as for Stars. Early data indicates subscriptions are proving to be a lucrative income source for top streamers. Some creators earned over $50,000 from subscriptions within the first month of launch.
Brand Sponsorships
Popular Facebook Gaming creators can also earn money through brand sponsorships and endorsements. Companies frequently partner with gaming influencers to promote products, place branded content in videos, sponsor streams, and more.
Sponsorship deals can be very lucrative, sometimes paying thousands of dollars per promotional campaign. However, you need a sizable, engaged audience to attract major brand deals. Creators should have at least 50,000 followers before pursuing sponsorships.
Donations
In addition to Stars and subscriptions, fans can also donate money directly to creators during livestreams. Facebook Gaming allows streamers to add a donate button to their channel pages and streams.
Facebook does not take any revenue share from direct donations through third-party services like PayPal or Venmo. All money donated goes directly to the streamer, minus minor processing fees.
YouTube Revenue
Many Facebook streamers also have YouTube channels to upload stream highlights, gameplay videos, vlogs, and more. You can monetize this YouTube content through the YouTube Partner Program.
YouTube revenue sources include video ads, YouTube Premium revenue share, channel memberships, SuperChat donations, and merchandise sales. Successful YouTubers earn a significant portion of their income through the YouTube Partner Program.
Merchandise Sales
Gaming creators can create and sell custom merchandise through platforms like Teespring and Represent. Items like t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and other products allow fans to support creators while getting cool gear.
Profit margins vary based on the merchandise platform used. But creators can generally earn $5-15 per item sold after production and platform fees.
How Much Do Top Facebook Streamers Make?
According to various reports and creator estimates, some top Facebook Gaming streamers are earning six figure incomes:
- StoneMountain64 – $100,000+ per month
- Corinna Kopf – $150,000+ per month
- AVG Rae – $60,000+ per month
- Pokimane – $38,000+ per month
These top creators have built massive followings of over 1 million fans each. They leverage all the above monetization methods, with the Facebook Gaming Partner Program, Stars, and brand deals making up the bulk of their earnings.
Earnings for Smaller Streamers
As a smaller streamer just getting started on Facebook Gaming, earnings will be much more modest. Here are some example monthly incomes for streamers based on their viewership:
| Average Viewers | Monthly Earnings |
| 100 | $0 – $100 |
| 500 | $100 – $500 |
| 1,000 | $500 – $2,000 |
| 5,000 | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 10,000 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
These numbers account for monetization through the Facebook Partner Program, Stars, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships at lower viewer counts. Unless you have a big existing following, it takes time and effort to build up substantial earnings as a newer streamer.
Tips for Increasing Facebook Gaming Earnings
Here are some tips creators of all sizes can use to maximize their Facebook Gaming monetization and earnings potential:
- Commit to a consistent streaming schedule so fans know when to watch
- Engage with viewers through chat, comments, and community posts
- Promote streams through other social media platforms
- Experiment with different games and content formats to see what resonates best
- Produce engaging, high-quality streams with good audio/visuals
- Collaborate with other creators for cross-promotion opportunities
- Consider multi-streaming to Facebook and Twitch simultaneously
- Once eligible, apply for the Level Up program for additional monetization options
- Diversify income through merch, YouTube, and sponsorships
Conclusion
Facebook Gaming offers significant monetization potential for qualified gaming creators. Top partners earn five to six figure incomes, while smaller streamers can expect to start earning hundreds to thousands per month. With Facebook’s massive user base, opportunities abound for emerging streamers to build an audience and generate revenue on the platform.