TikTok Creator Next revealed. TikTok is expanding its creator monetization tools by adding video tipping and virtual gifts for regular uploads, in addition, to live streams in the app.
What is TikTok Creator Next?
Live tipping and digital gifts have been available to selected streamers via the Creator Next program since last year. This new expansion means that the same functionality will be available to regular videos, which will add another way for users to make money from their TikTok videos.
As you can see in the above screenshots, to be eligible for the Creator Next program, users will need to have at least 1,000 followers, and will need to have generated more than 1,000 video views in the previous 30 days.
New! TikTok 'Creator Next' program
– Enables features previously only available for accounts with access to TikTok's Creator Marketplace
– All of the features are STILL gated behind the 10k followers threshold etc
h/t @heydanschenker pic.twitter.com/wJ6ky4Lqxm
— Matt Navarra (I quit X. Follow me on Threads) (@MattNavarra) December 1, 2021
As explained by TikTok:
“The new Tips feature allows people to directly show gratitude to creators for their content, much like recognizing exceptional service or giving a standing ovation. As is standard for tipping in person, with Tips creators will receive 100% of the tip value.”
“With Video Gifts, also available today, creators can now collect Diamonds not only by going LIVE but also by posting videos. This also gives people an all-new way to interact and engage with content they love.”
TikTok’s Creator Marketplace
TikTok is also lowering the threshold for those who can list their profiles in its Creator Marketplace brand collaboration platform, which enables businesses to find TikTok influencers to partner with on in-app campaigns.
This is an exciting time for brands, as more and more brands are looking to tap into the various opportunities of the platform, and partner with creators to optimize their presence.
How valuable, and popular, direct tipping and gifting can depend on how many dedicated fan bases will pay for the service, and how those fan bases see the need to tip or gift what they can already access for free.
But even so, it adds more opportunity, and the lower thresholds for monetization will see many more opportunities across the app.