X shuts down revenue sharing on September 7 and launches stricter rewards for original posts

Social platform X is no longer accepting applications for its ad revenue-sharing program and will fully shut it down after September 7. In its place, the company has introduced the Original Content Rewards Program, which it says is designed to "reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary to X." Earnings under the new system will be calculated based on qualified impressions generated by a creator's original content.

The platform defines original content as a user's own writing or reporting, photos or videos they have taken, as well as memes or illustrations they have created. Reposting other people's material is allowed, but only if the user adds meaningful commentary, analysis, or creative editing to existing videos or photos. Simple captions or text overlays that merely describe what is happening in someone else's post will not count as original. If a user's addition to another person's creation adds little or no value, it is not considered "original content" under X's policy.

To qualify for the new rewards program, users must be at least 18 years old and reside in a country where the program is available, as listed on X's help page. They also need an active Premium, Premium+, or Premium Business subscription, at least 500 verified followers, and at least 500,000 Home timeline views from verified users within the last 90 days. Only unique impressions from Premium users will count toward a creator's total. Additionally, creators must continue meeting these requirements after being accepted into the program to receive payouts.

Current members of X's revenue-sharing program will need to reapply for the new one when eligibility opens on September 8. Those who were not part of the old program can apply for original content rewards immediately.

In March, X updated its revenue-sharing program to give more weight to engagement from a user's home region. This followed revelations earlier this year that dozens of popular accounts posting pro-Trump sentiments and US commentary were not actually based in the country. It remains unclear whether the new program will adopt the same regional weighting policy.