X Shifts Influencer Rewards Toward Original Content

Elon Musk’s X is redefining creator payouts.

X’s New Reward Model: Original Content First

X, the social platform now under Elon Musk, is phasing out its Revenue Sharing program and launching Original Content Rewards. Existing participants will continue earning through September 7, with new applications opening on September 8. To qualify, creators must be on a Premium tier and meet thresholds of 500 verified followers and 500,000 Home Timeline impressions within 90 days.

Qualification Criteria and Limits

■500 verified follower requirement

■500,000 Home Timeline impressions in a 90‑day window

■Premium subscription mandatory

Who Qualifies, Who Doesn’t

X defines original content as reporting, self‑produced photos and videos, memes or graphics, and commentary that adds meaningful value. Posts that are mere copies, re‑uploads without transformation, or unmodified reposts are excluded.

■Direct copies from another account

■Downloaded material re‑uploaded unchanged

■Unmodified reposts without added value

Past Shifts and Future Outlook

Earlier tweaks to the program, comparable moves by TikTok, and Musk’s reversal on prior payout rules hint at a strategic pivot toward sustainable monetization. Investors are watching how original‑content incentives could reshape platform growth and creator economics.

The shift signals a move from pure payout chasing to value‑creating content, offering a longer‑term revenue story that aligns creator incentives with platform health.