X ends creator revenue sharing and ties new payouts to original content

Why it matters

X can supply live programming without paying production costs upfront, but creators will stay only if Live Studio delivers stable broadcasts and predictable payouts.

X is closing its existing Revenue Sharing program to new applicants and preparing to move creators into a new system that pays for qualified impressions on original content.

In an August 7 announcement, the platform said current Revenue Sharing members will continue earning through September 7, 2026. They are scheduled to receive standard payouts on August 14 and August 28, followed by a final payment around September 11 for earnings accrued through the cutoff.

Starting September 8, existing members can apply for the Original Content Rewards Program, provided they meet its eligibility rules. Approval is not automatic, and accounts whose monetization is paused over a previous policy violation cannot enroll.

X narrows which impressions generate revenue

The new program pays for unique impressions from Premium users on the Home Timeline when at least 50% of a post is visible. Repeat impressions from the same account on a post, paid or promoted impressions, artificially generated traffic and fraudulent impressions do not qualify.

X did not disclose a fixed rate per qualified impression. Payouts are scheduled every two weeks while an account and its content remain eligible, leaving the value of any given audience under the platform's control.

Applicants must be at least 18, live in an eligible country, maintain an account in good standing and subscribe to X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business. They also need at least 500 verified followers and 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users over the previous 90 days. Impressions on replies are excluded from that threshold.

X said it will review applications within three business days. Rejected applicants get one appeal and, if that fails, can reapply after 90 days if they still meet the requirements.

Originality becomes an enforcement question

X defines original content broadly enough to include reporting, analysis, videos, photos, memes, graphics and commentary. Posts that incorporate someone else's work can qualify when the creator adds meaningful context, expertise, humor, narration or other creative transformation.

Simple reposting does not qualify. X also says cropping, filters, borders, watermarks, speed changes and basic text overlays generally are not enough to make third-party material original.

Other exclusions extend beyond copied work. Content is ineligible if it was created or posted using automated means, focuses exclusively on monetization coaching or maximizing payouts, contains disinformation or misleading material, or has a helpful Community Note. Sexually explicit, potentially harmful and policy-violating content is also excluded.

Participants must continue subscribing to an eligible Premium plan and avoid soliciting engagement, manipulating recommendation systems or using bots and automated tools to manufacture activity. X says the listed requirements are not exhaustive and reserves the right to enforce against conduct it believes undermines the program.

That discretion is central to the economics. Creators will be paid only for a subset of views from paying users, while X retains authority over whether the content is sufficiently original and whether an account remains eligible.

X says the first payout under the new program will be issued August 28. Existing Revenue Sharing members who become eligible and enroll on or after September 8 are expected to receive their first payment on September 25.