Facebook defines a creator as someone who regularly shares content on Facebook or Instagram to build an audience and community. Creators produce all types of content – from informative videos to entertaining dance trends to beautiful photography. Facebook launched its creator monetization tools in 2018 to help these creators earn money from their content on Facebook and Instagram.
What types of creators can monetize on Facebook?
Facebook’s monetization programs are open to many types of creators, including:
- Video creators
- Live streamers
- Videographers
- Photographers
- Writers
- Podcasters
- Fitness trainers
- Chefs
- Artists
- Musicians
- Crafters
- DIY experts
- Comedians
- Dancers
- Beauty experts
- Fashion stylists
- Interior designers
- Makeup artists
Essentially any creator who produces original content in an eligible category can apply for Facebook’s monetization programs. The key is having an engaged following and posting content consistently.
What are the main monetization options?
Facebook offers creators several ways to earn money directly from their content on Facebook and Instagram. The main options include:
In-Stream Ads
Creators can monetize their Facebook videos by enabling In-Stream Ads. This inserts short ads before, during, or after their videos. Creators earn a 55% revenue share on the ads displayed on their content.
Facebook Reels Play Bonus
Eligible creators can earn bonus payouts for Reels on Instagram based on their content’s engagement and performance. The bonus payments range from $300-$3500 per month.
Stars
Fans can purchase and send virtual Stars to support creators during Facebook Live videos and other live streams. One Star is equal to one cent that goes to the creator.
Subscriptions
Creators can offer exclusive content and experiences to fans who subscribe for a monthly fee. Creators keep 100% of their subscription revenue (after taxes and fees).
Badges
Fans can purchase badges during live videos to stand out in the comments. One badge costs $0.99, and the creator keeps 100% of badge purchases (after taxes and fees).
Bonuses
Facebook may offer creators additional bonuses for hitting certain milestones or achievements related to their content’s performance.
Branded Content
Creators can earn money by partnering with brands to create sponsored content and ads. The earnings depend on the specific brand deal.
Facebook Shop
Creators can use Facebook Shop to sell products directly on their Facebook Page or Profile. Facebook charges sellers a 5% selling fee.
Affiliate Marketing
Creators can earn commissions by promoting or linking to products and services through affiliate programs.
What are the requirements to join these programs?
To access Facebook’s creator monetization tools, pages must first meet these eligibility requirements:
- Have at least 10,000 total followers on Facebook
- Be authorised and in good standing
- Post original content that complies with Facebook’s content policies
- Abide by Facebook’s monetization policies
- Create content for an eligible category (news, entertainment, gaming, lifestyle, beauty, fashion, fitness, etc.)
- Agree to Facebook’s content monetization terms
The specific eligibility criteria can vary for different programs. For example, Facebook Reels Play requires at least 1,000 Instagram followers. While access to Stars and Badges depends on the creator going through the Facebook Level Up application process.
How do creators apply for Facebook’s monetization programs?
Eligible creators can apply to monetize their content through the following steps:
- Go to the Facebook Creator Studio
- Click “Monetization”
- Select the program(s) you want to enable
- Review the requirements and policies
- Complete the application and onboarding process
- Get reviewed by Facebook to confirm eligibility
- Start monetizing once approved!
The application process involves linking your Facebook Page, agreeing to Facebook’s monetization policies, and providing any requested tax information. The review period can take a few weeks. Applicants will receive status updates throughout the process.
What content is eligible for monetization?
To monetize content on Facebook, creators must:
- Have exclusive rights to the content they post
- Comply with Facebook’s content monetization policies
- Post content that aligns with Facebook’s community standards and content policies
- Follow platform-specific requirements for monetizable content types
In general, Facebook allows monetization of original content like videos, live streams, posts, and Reels. But content also needs to meet platform guidelines around quality, length, audience targeting, copyright, and other specifics.
Some types of content prohibited from monetization include:
- Content owned or licensed by someone else
- Illegal, dangerous, or adult content
- Misinformation or fake news
- Violent, graphic, or hateful content
- Content that violates public privacy
- Repetitive or low-quality content
Facebook provides details on its monetization policies and eligible content types when creators apply to its programs. Approval is based on a review of the creator’s content and Facebook Page.
How much money can a creator make on Facebook?
Earnings potential on Facebook can vary greatly depending on factors like:
- Number of followers/subscribers
- Content type and frequency
- Engagement and viewership rates
- Use of monetization features
- Ad rates and CPMs (cost per thousand impressions)
- Applicable bonuses and revenue sharing
For example, a creator with 100,000 followers monetizing with In-Stream Ads at a $10 RPM would earn around $1,000 for 1,000,000 video views. But the same creator could earn several thousand dollars per month offering subscriptions.
According to Facebook, some top creators easily earn five figures per month. But most creators likely make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month. With persistence and a growing audience, there is huge potential to earn significant income over time on Facebook.
What steps can a creator take to maximize earnings?
Creators can take a few key steps to boost their monetization and earning potential on Facebook:
- Consistently post engaging, high-quality content
- Use best practices for titles, tags, descriptions, etc. to optimize content
- Leverage Facebook analytics to understand audience interests
- Promote content across Facebook, Instagram, and other channels
- Engage with fans and build community
- Experiment with different content formats and monetization features
- Collaborate with relevant creators
- Consider Facebook advertising to grow follower count
Maximizing earnings is not easy, but creators who put in the work to grow their audience and skillfully monetize their content can build a sustainable income on Facebook over time.
What are the pros and cons of monetizing on Facebook?
Pros:
- Massive potential audience
- Multiple built-in monetization tools
- Opportunities for organic and paid growth
- Data insights provided in Creator Studio
- Revenue shares are better than YouTube (55% vs. 45-55%)
Cons:
- Facebook’s algorithm favors re-shared content
- More competition as more creators join platforms
- Monetization program access requires 10k+ followers
- Harder to build loyal audience vs niche sites/platforms
- Need to master multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Reels, etc)
The scale of Facebook’s platforms makes monetization highly appealing. But creators also need the right strategy, skills, and expectations to succeed.
How does monetization on Facebook compare to other platforms like YouTube or TikTok?
Monetization options are generally similar across major social media platforms, with some key differences:
| Platform | Key Monetization Features | Revenue Share | Minimum Followers |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Stream Ads, Subscriptions, Stars, Badges | 55% ad revenue | 10,000 | |
| YouTube | AdSense, Channel Memberships, Super Chat | 45-55% ad revenue | 1,000 |
| TikTok | TikTok Creator Fund, Tips, LIVE Gifts | Varies by region/fund | 10,000 (Creator Fund) |
YouTube likely offers the best ad monetization due to higher CPMs, but Facebook provides a bigger revenue share. TikTok offers creators less control over monetization. In general, diversifying across multiple platforms is the best way to maximize revenue.
What tools help creators maximize monetization on Facebook?
Creator Studio is the key tool creators use to manage monetization on Facebook. Features include:
- Applying to monetization programs
- Managing ad breaks
- Viewing earnings and payouts
- Tracking content performance
- Audience analytics and insights
- Content planning and scheduling
- Collaborating with other creators
Outside of Creator Studio, useful tools include:
- Facebook Analytics – For deeper data on followers and engagement
- Video editors – To create high-quality content
- Social media management tools – To schedule and optimize content
- Affiliate management platforms – To track affiliate campaigns
The right tools are instrumental in understanding audience behavior, creating engaging content, and ultimately driving monetization on Facebook.
What are some common challenges creators face on Facebook?
Common challenges creators face include:
- Growing an audience from scratch
- Inconsistent organic reach and engagement
- Fierce competition for audience attention
- Content creation burning out creators
- Changing algorithms disrupting reach
- Navigating Facebook’s content rules and restrictions
- Monetizing without alienating audience
- Discouraging early growth and income
- Scaling monetization beyond a limited niche
It takes significant effort, skill, and perseverance to build a career as a full-time Facebook creator. Most creators need time to hone their content and find an effective monetization strategy.
Conclusion
Building a business as a Facebook creator requires strategic content, an engaged audience, and persistence. But the opportunities are immense. Facebook’s monetization programs offer multiple income streams to content creators across verticals. With the right approach and commitment, creators can generate meaningful earnings by monetizing original videos, live streams, Reels, and other content on Facebook.