TikTok’s own docs and recent reporting so the advice matches how TikTok is operating in 2025.
How to Make Money on TikTok — and How to Create a Free US / UK Account (Latest, 2025)
TikTok is still one of the highest-growth platforms for creators and small businesses. In 2025 the best strategy is to combine platform programs (Creator Rewards, Creator Marketplace, Live gifts, Shop/affiliates) with off-platform revenue (brand deals, affiliate links, merch). Below I explain the monetization options, exact eligibility you’ll need, and how to set up a free TikTok account that appears to be from the US or UK — safely and within sensible warnings.
Quick summary (TL;DR)
- Core TikTok monetization channels: Creator Rewards (Creator Fund-style), Creator Marketplace (brand deals), TikTok Shop & affiliates, Live gifts, and direct brand partnerships. (TikTok Support)
- Typical eligibility for Creator Rewards (2025): 18+, ~10,000+ followers, and ~100,000 video views in the last 30 days (requirements vary by country). (TikTok Newsroom)
- You can create a free TikTok account from anywhere; TikTok determines some program access by account location, IP, and phone number — I explain legitimate ways to position an account as US/UK below and give safety cautions. (TikTok Support)
1) How creators actually get paid on TikTok (the main routes)
- Creator Rewards / Creator Program — TikTok’s official payouts to qualifying creators. Requirements are stricter in 2025 (followers + recent views thresholds) and vary by country; apply through Creator Tools in the app once eligible. (TikTok Newsroom)
- Creator Marketplace — TikTok’s official influencer marketplace where brands find creators. Good for scalable brand deals. You need a healthy following, strong engagement, and account in good standing. (TikTok For Business)
- Live gifts & diamonds — Fans buy digital gifts during live streams; creators convert gifts to cash (after platform fees). Eligibility typically requires a minimum follower count and account age. (TikTok Support)
- TikTok Shop & Affiliate Sales — Sell products directly via TikTok Shop, or earn commissions through Shop affiliate campaigns. Businesses need seller verification; creators can join affiliate campaigns. (TikTok For Business)
- Brand deals / Sponsorships off-platform — Negotiate per-post or per-campaign payments with brands directly (often the highest earner for mid-to-large creators).
- Other streams — Selling courses, Patreon/Subscribe, consulting, paid shoutouts, and repurposing content across other platforms.
2) Exact eligibility essentials (2025 snapshot)
- Age: Usually 18+ for most monetization programs. (Some features like live may allow 16+ for limited features.) (TikTok Newsroom)
- Followers / Views: Creator Rewards often requires ~10,000+ followers and ~100,000 views in the past 30 days (varies by country). Creator Marketplace commonly expects 10k+ followers and consistent posting. (TikTok Newsroom)
- Account standing: No community-guideline strikes; authentic content only. TikTok explicitly warns against fake views/followers and VPN tampering for program eligibility. (TikTok Support)
3) Step-by-step: Create a free TikTok account and position it for US/UK eligibility (legit & safe approach)
A. Create the free account
- Download TikTok from your app store and sign up with email, phone number, or social login. Accounts are free worldwide. (TikTok Support)
B. Make your account “look” US/UK in legitimate ways
- Use a local phone number if possible. Many programs check the phone country. If you have a trusted US/UK phone number (personal, family, business) use that.
- Set your language/location preferences: In Settings → Content preferences / Location Services choose English (United States) or English (United Kingdom) and enable location permissions if you are physically in that country — this helps signals. (TikTok Support)
- Use regionally relevant content: Post content that appeals to US/UK audiences (time your posts to US/UK peak hours, use trending local sounds/hashtags).
- Device and payment method: For Shop/seller features you’ll need business verification and a bank/payment method that matches the country.
Important caution about VPNs and fake numbers:
Some creators consider VPNs or anonymous virtual numbers to “appear” as US/UK. TikTok’s policies and internal checks can flag unusual activity. TikTok’s support docs warn that tampering with region signals or using fake/fraudulent methods risks account suspension or losing monetization. If you do use third-party number services, use reputable providers and expect extra verification steps. I recommend using real, legal contact details and staying within TikTok’s rules. (TikTok Support)
4) Fast launch plan — First 90 days (playbook)
Week 0–2: Setup profile, niche, 10 thumbnailed videos, optimize bio with niche keywords.
Week 3–6: Post daily (15–60s), follow trends, duet/stitch, reply to comments, and use 2–3 high-value hashtags per post.
Week 7–12: Run 2 live streams (to test Live gifts), pitch 2 micro-brands, join Creator Marketplace once eligible, and set up affiliate links or a simple Shopify/TikTok Shop listing if selling.
5) Pro tips to maximize income
- Focus on replicable short series — series format increases repeat views.
- Move followers to email list / Linktree — most stable revenue driver.
- Negotiate bundles with brands (content + live + story) rather than single posts.
- Recycle high-performing clips to YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels for cross-platform revenue.
6) Risks, pitfalls & legal notes
- Fake followers/views — immediate risk to monetization and possible bans. TikTok enforces authenticity. (TikTok Support)
- Cross-border legal/compliance — if you run a business (Shop), verify tax and business law requirements for the country you claim.
- Geo-blocking & regulation: In 2025, U.S. regulatory changes have affected TikTok’s future; always check recent policy/news about availability in your target market. (Example: ongoing U.S. regulatory developments in 2025 could change how TikTok operates for U.S. users.) (Reuters)
Sources & further reading
- TikTok Creator Rewards Program (eligibility & rules). (TikTok Support)
- TikTok newsroom — Creator Fund / Creator Rewards FAQs. (TikTok Newsroom)
- TikTok Seller Center & TikTok Shop setup. (TikTok For Business)
- TikTok Creator Marketplace (brand collaborations). (TikTok For Business)
- TikTok support — How creators monetize (overview of Live, Gifts, etc.). (TikTok Support)
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