X (formerly Twitter) is overhauling how its creators get paid, phasing out its long-running Revenue Sharing program for a new system called the Original Content Rewards Program.
The platform’s Creators account announced the change in a post, noting the program is meant to “reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to X.”
So, what is the Original Content Rewards Program?
Simply put, X wants to pay creators for making original content, rather than mainly rewarding engagement on recycled content, when you capitalise on other users’ content.
Under the old Revenue Sharing programme, creators earned money based largely on the engagement their posts generated. The new programme puts greater emphasis on the value and originality of what you actually create.
That could include your own articles, videos, reporting, analysis, commentary, memes, photography, graphics or other creative work.
For example, reposting a viral news story adds little of your own. But reporting on the story, explaining what happened, adding context or giving your analysis creates something new for your audience.
The same applies to videos and images. Simply downloading someone else’s content, adding a caption or making minor edits does not make it original. X wants creators to add meaningful creative or editorial value.
Who can qualify for the Original Content Rewards Program?
With an X Premium subscription, creators need at least 500 verified followers and 500,000 qualifying Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the previous 90 days.
Importantly, not every view automatically counts towards rewards. X uses specific qualifying impressions when determining eligibility and payouts.
What Does This Mean for Revenue Sharing Creators on X?
If you’re already enrolled in Revenue Sharing, you won’t be cut off immediately. You’ll continue earning through 7 September 2026, with three final payouts: 14 August, 28 August, and a final payment for earnings through 7 September, expected around 11 September.
From 8 September, existing Revenue Sharing members will be able to apply for the new Original Content Rewards Program, provided they meet its eligibility requirements.
If you’ve already completed ID verification and have a valid payout method, you won’t need to do those steps again. Check eligibility here.
However, accounts whose monetisation is currently paused because of a previous policy violation will not be eligible for the Original Content Rewards Program.
In summary, this change does not mean views no longer matter. They still do, but only from content you actually created.
So instead of asking, “What tweet can I steal that will go viral?” the better question is, “What can I create that people will want to see?”
