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the TikTok Creator Fund is awful

Introduction

Hi, I'm Amanda, and you're watching Small Entertainment. If you're here on YouTube, you know I'm a YouTuber, and I've spoken about this in another video on burnout among content creators. Today, we're discussing the TikTok Creator Fund, which, if you’re familiar with YouTube, is similar to the Partner Program—but worse.

TikTok, a short-form video content app, has taken the social media world by storm. With famous TikTokers like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae, the platform has had undeniable influence. Unfortunately, this app is also the reason I dislike many other social media platforms, including YouTube. YouTube, thanks for paying my bills, but I don't want to see Shorts here. I use YouTube for long-form content and TikTok for short-form videos.

TikTok's influence is pervasive, affecting platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube as they attempt to incorporate short-form content into their formats. This attempt often diminishes user experience, as seen when Twitter bought Vine only to shut it down, effectively eliminating competition.

Yet, TikTok's Creator Fund—introduced in 2020 to avoid a U.S. ban—is a disappointing attempt to pay content creators. I interviewed my friend McKenzie, who has 200,000 followers and is part of the fund. Her insights reveal just how problematic the fund is.

When compared to YouTube, which shares a significant portion of its revenue with content creators, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, falls drastically short. Hank Green highlighted this issue, noting that ByteDance’s 2020 revenue was $ 34.3 billion, more than YouTube’s. Yet, TikTok pays creators a fraction of what YouTube does.

Initial responses to the Creator Fund were negative, with creators reporting a drop in views after joining. McKenzie, however, did not experience this.

At the start, she appreciated the Creator Fund, making around $ 300 a month. But as her account gained followers, she began making less, despite an increase in views. Payments became inconsistent, and the fund’s rules became more opaque, making the entire system unreliable.

TikTok's algorithm is ever-changing, complicating things further. Creators face bans for vague reasons, often due to the platform's AI-driven review process, which can't grasp nuances. Human review is essential, but largely absent, increasing the likelihood of unjust bans and review errors.

McKenzie highlighted the infuriating lack of transparency in how payments are calculated. Unlike YouTube, which provides detailed analytics, TikTok offers no insight into what videos generate earnings or how much each view is worth. Payments are routed through PayPal, incurring additional fees, and there are delays in receiving funds.

The lack of transparency harms not only creators but the platform itself. Content-driven platforms depend on user-generated content. By failing to provide useful analytics, TikTok stifles creators, denying them the tools to understand and optimize their content, ultimately reducing the platform's overall quality.

Content creators, whether large or small, deserve sustainable income and clear guidelines. The rising importance of user-driven platforms necessitates better support for creators, ensuring they can continue producing quality content.

In conclusion, platforms must respect and support their creators. This includes providing clear guidelines, detailed analytics, and timely payments. The TikTok Creator Fund fails in these aspects, making it an unsustainable option for many creators.

Are you a TikToker or a YouTuber? Do you believe content platforms should provide better insight for creators? Let me know in the comments. Thank you to my patrons for their support. If you’d like to support me, my Patreon is listed below, along with my social media links. Have a lovely day!

Keywords

  • TikTok Creator Fund
  • Social media platforms
  • Content creators
  • ByteDance revenue
  • YouTube Partner Program
  • TikTok algorithm
  • Human review
  • Transparency in payments
  • User-generated content

FAQ

Q: What is the TikTok Creator Fund? A: The TikTok Creator Fund is a program introduced by TikTok to pay content creators for their videos, similar to YouTube's Partner Program but much less transparent and lucrative.

Q: How does the TikTok Creator Fund compare to YouTube's Partner Program? A: YouTube shares a significant portion of its revenue with creators, providing detailed analytics. In contrast, TikTok offers less money, minimal transparency, and analytical insights, making it difficult for creators to understand their earnings.

Q: Why do some creators report a drop in views after joining the TikTok Creator Fund? A: Many creators observed a significant drop in views after joining the fund, although specific reasons remain unclear. This inconsistency is one of the primary criticisms of the fund.

Q: How are payments from the TikTok Creator Fund processed? A: Payments are made through PayPal, which incurs transfer fees, and creators only receive their earnings after a delay of about three months.

Q: Why is the lack of transparency a problem for TikTok creators? A: Without clear guidelines and detailed analytics, creators struggle to understand what content performs well, inhibiting their ability to optimize their videos and generate sustainable income.

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