Facebook first launched its Creator monetization program in 2018 as a way for video creators to earn money from their Facebook content. The program has expanded over the years to include more monetization tools for creators on Facebook and Instagram.
The short answer is: Yes, Facebook Creator tools are free to use for creators. However, creators must meet certain eligibility requirements to access the monetization and subscription features. meeting the requirements doesn’t guarantee you will be accepted into the program.
Facebook Creator Monetization Requirements
Here are the basic requirements to apply for Facebook monetization as a content creator:
- Have at least 10,000 followers on Facebook or Instagram
- Be located in a supported country
- Upload content regularly that complies with Facebook’s content policies
- Complete the Facebook monetization education modules
- Have an Authentic Facebook profile
Facebook reviews creator accounts thoroughly before approving them for monetization. Factors like content quality, audience engagement, and community guidelines violations can impact whether you get accepted.
Facebook Creator Tools Available for Free Use
Assuming a creator meets the program requirements and gets accepted, these are some of the free tools available to them:
- Facebook Ad Monetization – Earn a 55% revenue share from ads displayed on your Facebook videos and posts.
- Facebook Stars – Fans can support you by purchasing and sending Stars during Facebook Live videos.
- Facebook Subscriptions – Offer exclusive content and perks to fans who pay a monthly fee to subscribe.
- Facebook Badges – Let fans show support by purchasing badges to display next to comments and posts.
- Instagram Badges – Similar to Facebook, fans can buy badges to demonstrate support on Instagram posts and stories.
- Instagram Shopping – Add shoppable tags to Instagram posts so fans can easily purchase featured products and apparel.
- Reels Play Bonus – Earn additional payouts when your Instagram Reels perform well.
- Facebook Gaming Creator Monetization – Make money from gaming streams through Stars and subscriptions.
Facebook provides all these money-making tools to accepted creators for free. There are no fees to use them. Of course, Facebook takes a cut of creator earnings from ads, Stars, badges, etc. But there are no upfront costs.
Other Facebook Monetization Options
In addition to the free tools above, here are some other ways for creators to monetize their Facebook and Instagram content:
- Boosted Posts – Pay to promote your posts and reach more people.
- Sponsored Content – Get paid by brands to create and post about their products.
- Affiliate Links – Earn commissions promoting other brands through affiliate programs.
- Donations – Request donations from supporters through Stars or third-party services.
- Virtual Gifts – Let fans send virtual gifts during live videos as a way to show support.
- Brand Partnerships – Partner with brands relevant to your audience for sponsorship opportunities.
- Merchandising – Sell custom apparel, products, and merchandise promoting your brand.
However, most of these options require creators to either pay money upfront (like boosted posts) or seek partnerships independently (brand sponsorships). They are additional ways to monetize, but require more work compared to the free tools Facebook provides.
Requirements to Join Facebook’s Partner Program
Facebook does offer an invite-only level above the standard Creator program called the Facebook Partner Program. It provides additional benefits like:
- Access to Facebook partner managers for support
- Early access to new products and features
- Exclusive events, workshops, and trainings
- Higher earning rates for some monetization features
To qualify for the invite-only Partner Program, creators generally must:
- Have at least 100,000 followers on Facebook or Instagram
- Consistently create high-quality content that drives engagement
- Post content frequently, at least 2-3 times per week
- Avoid community standards violations and any content policy violations
- Maintain an authentic, public-facing presence on Facebook and Instagram
Partnership status provides more benefits and support. But Facebook still provides all the core monetization tools for free to standard creators in the program. You don’t have to be a Facebook Partner to earn money as a creator on their platforms.
Pros of Facebook’s Creator Monetization Tools
Here are some of the key benefits creators get access to with Facebook’s free tools:
- No Cost – It’s completely free to apply and start using the tools once approved.
- Instant Access to Billions of Users – Monetize content across Facebook and Instagram’s platforms.
- Established Revenue Streams – Earn ad revenue, subscriptions, Stars, and more with proven monetization models.
- Support Community Growth – tools like badges, Stars, and gifts help creators build a supportive community.
- Data Insights – Facebook provides analytics on earnings, subscribers, top-performing content, and audience demographics.
- Credibility – Being an official Facebook creator can give you more legitimacy with brands and collaborators.
Overall, Facebook offers creators an unparalleled opportunity to build an audience and earn money from content on an established platform with billions of existing users.
Cons of Facebook’s Creator Monetization Tools
Facebook’s monetization tools do have some potential drawbacks as well:
- Limited Earning Potential – Facebook ad earnings tend to be lower compared to YouTube. Top creators earn thousands, not millions.
- No Guaranteed Income – Facebook doesn’t pay creators simply for posting content. Earnings depend on performance and audience engagement.
- Strict Content Policies – Controversial or mature content may not be approved, limiting potential subjects.
- Limited Creative Control – Facebook controls analytics, algorithm, promotions, etc. Creators rely on the platform.
- Cluttered Space – Facebook is flooded with content creators competing for views and monetization.
- Platform Risks – Policy changes or algorithm shifts can severely impact reach and earnings.
While Facebook offers big opportunities to creators, it does come with noted risks and limitations. Creators are highly dependent on the platform and its decisions.
Top-Earning Facebook Creators and Influencers
To get a sense of potential Facebook creator earnings, here are some of the platform’s current top monetizing accounts:
| Creator | Followers | Content Focus | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| MrBeast | 130 Million | Viral stunts and challenges | $54 million (2021) |
| Dude Perfect | 60 Million | Trick shots and comedy | $20 million (2021) |
| Nas Daily | 40 Million | Daily vlogs and videos | $5 – 10 million (2021) |
| The Try Guys | 8 Million | Comedy, challenges, lifestyle | $2 – 3 million (2022) |
| Kallmekris | 2 Million | Comedy skits, impersonations | $500,000 – $750,000 (2022) |
As you can see, top Facebook creators are earning anywhere from several hundred thousand to tens of millions per year. However, these are the standout accounts. The average creator income is likely far lower.
Tips to Maximize Facebook Creator Earnings
Here are some tips creators of any size can use to maximize their Facebook monetization potential:
- Consistently post new, high-quality content multiple times per week.
- Engage with followers through comments, messages, and live videos.
- Promote content through groups, hashtags, cross-posting, and paid methods.
- Optimize content for the Facebook algorithm using tactics like captions, longer videos, and keywords.
- Provide exclusive subscriber perks like behind-the-scenes footage, digital gifts, and more.
- Collaborate with relevant creators and brands to expand reach.
- Diversify earnings through ads, subscriptions, badges, and more monetization features.
- Analyze earnings and audience analytics to refine strategy and content.
Succeeding as a Facebook creator requires considerable work. But the opportunities to build an audience and earn money are certainly there for dedicated creators.
Alternatives to Facebook’s Creator Monetization Tools
While Facebook offers an easy starting point, here are a few alternative platforms where creators can monetize content:
- YouTube – Larger earning potential through Google AdSense and channel memberships.
- TikTok – Can now monetize short videos through TikTok’s Creator Fund.
- Twitch – Popular for gaming creators to earn from subscriptions and donations.
- Patreon – Crowdfunding platform for creators to offer exclusive content and perks to patrons.
- Buy Me a Coffee – Membership platform for creators to accept one-time tips or recurring support.
- Etsy – Sell custom merchandise related to your brand as a creative business.
- Teachable – Sell online courses related to your niche and expertise as a creator.
Diversifying income across multiple platforms is smart to reduce reliance on Facebook. But the company still offers compelling monetization tools, especially for newer creators building their brand and audience.
Conclusion
Facebook provides a wide range of free monetization tools to help creators earn from their content. Anyone can apply to use tools like ad share, Stars, subscriptions, and badges once they meet the follower and content requirements.
Top Facebook creators can make millions per year from the platform’s monetization offerings. However, average earnings are far lower. Success requires building a highly engaged audience and skillfully utilizing all available features.
While Facebook’s model has some limitations, the free access to a billions-user platform offers huge upside potential for emerging creators. Those able to leverage it effectively can turn their passion into a sustainable income source.