X ends creator revenue share program; Final payout coming in September

### X Replaces Creator Revenue Sharing With New Program Focused on Original Content

X is changing its creator monetization strategy by ending its existing Creator Revenue Share Program and introducing a new system designed to place greater value on original content. The social media platform announced the change on August 7, saying the new initiative, called the Original Content Rewards Program, will focus on creators who contribute their own ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary. The shift comes as X attempts to address the growing amount of repetitive, low-quality and engagement-focused material appearing across the platform. Under the new system, X says creators will be rewarded not simply for generating activity but for producing content that provides original value and encourages users to return to the platform. The company has stopped accepting new applications for its existing revenue-sharing program, while creators already enrolled will continue receiving payments through September 7, 2026. Existing participants are scheduled to receive final payouts on August 14, August 28 and September 11 as the previous system is gradually phased out. Starting September 8, eligible creators who were previously part of the revenue-sharing program will gradually be able to apply for the new rewards initiative. X has also established specific eligibility requirements for creators seeking to participate. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and maintain an active Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business subscription. They must also have at least 500 verified followers and record a minimum of 500,000 verified Home Timeline impressions during the previous 90 days, excluding impressions generated through replies. The new payment system will calculate creator earnings based on qualified impressions generated by eligible original posts. X said these impressions will generally involve unique views from Premium users on the Home Timeline, with at least half of the post visible to the viewer. Payments under the new program are expected to be made every two weeks, providing creators with a regular opportunity to earn from their original work. The first payment under the new system is scheduled for August 28, although creators transitioning from the old program will follow a separate initial payment schedule. Those who become eligible and enroll beginning September 8 are expected to receive their first payment on September 25. A major element of the new program is its stricter approach to reposted and copied material. Content that simply reproduces another creator’s work, substantially copies existing material or takes content from another platform and uploads it to X will not qualify for rewards. The change is intended to discourage creators from relying on recycled posts solely to generate impressions and engagement. Instead, X wants its monetization system to encourage creators to develop material that reflects their own perspectives, knowledge and creative efforts. The new approach could significantly affect creators who have built their income around high-volume posting and engagement rather than original production. At the same time, creators who produce independent commentary, news, analysis, entertainment and specialized content could benefit if their posts consistently generate qualified impressions. X’s decision reflects a broader challenge facing social media platforms as they attempt to balance creator monetization with the increasing spread of automated, repetitive and low-value content. By changing the criteria for earning money, X is signaling that it wants the quality and originality of content to play a larger role in determining creator rewards. The success of the new program will ultimately depend on whether it can encourage higher-quality contributions while providing creators with a sustainable financial incentive to remain active on the platform.