X has officially closed new applications for its Revenue Sharing programme and introduced the Original Content Rewards Programme, a new monetisation system designed to pay creators for original contributions that drive meaningful engagement on the platform. The announcement, made on Friday, August 7, 2026, via the official X Creators account, marks a significant shift in how the social media giant compensates its content creators.
New Programme Details and Rationale
The Original Content Rewards Programme aims to reward creators whose original reporting, expertise, commentary, and creativity add substantial value to conversations on X. According to the company, the new system will focus on compensating individuals who contribute genuine ideas and perspectives, rather than those who simply repost or recycle existing content.
Under the new scheme, creators will be paid based on qualified impressions—unique views from Premium subscribers on the Home Timeline. To qualify, at least 50% of a post must be visible, and repeated views, paid promotions, and fraudulent or artificially generated impressions are excluded from the calculation.
Transition for Existing Revenue Sharing Participants
Creators already enrolled in the Revenue Sharing programme will continue to earn under it until September 7, 2026. Three final payouts are scheduled: August 14, August 28, and a concluding payout around September 11, covering earnings accrued through September 7. From September 8, these creators can apply to join the new programme, subject to eligibility, with their first payment under the new scheme expected on September 25.
For creators who join the Original Content Rewards Programme before the transition date, the first payout is set for August 28. This staggered approach ensures a smooth transition while allowing existing participants to benefit from the final Revenue Sharing payments.
Eligibility and Earning Requirements
- Creators must be at least 18 years old and reside in a country where the programme operates.
- Accounts must be in good standing with X.
- Creators must subscribe to X Premium, Premium+, or Premium Business.
- At least 500 verified followers are required.
- Creators must generate at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within 90 days.
- Regular publication of original content is mandatory to remain enrolled.
Eligible content includes threads, videos, memes, graphics, illustrations, reporting, analysis, and commentary. Creators can build on existing conversations but must add meaningful commentary, context, or creative transformation. Posts without sufficient original contribution will not qualify for rewards.
Content Standards and Enforcement
The company emphasised that "building on existing conversations is a core part of X, but simply reposting someone else's content is not enough." Minor edits such as cropping, adding filters, adjusting speed, or placing watermarks on another person's work will generally not meet the transformation threshold, as reported by Punch.
Content reproduced from other creators, automated posts, disinformation, and misleading material are all excluded from the programme. Accounts that violate the programme's rules face temporary or permanent removal depending on the severity of the breach. X stated: "Original content is content you personally create that reflects your own voice, perspective, expertise, or creativity."
Broader Context: Competition in the Creator Economy
This move comes amid intensifying competition for digital talent. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Facebook introduced a new initiative called Creator Fast Track, offering eligible participants up to $3,000 per month. The programme, unveiled by parent company Meta Platforms, targets creators with more than one million followers on rival platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram, allowing them to earn up to $3,000 monthly.
X's new Original Content Rewards Programme is part of a broader effort to retain and attract creators by emphasising originality and quality, a strategic shift that could reshape the creator economy on the platform.
