As of 2025, the primary ways to earn money on X (formerly Twitter) are by using official platform programs and combining them with indirect methods. The key to monetization is subscribing to the paid service, X Premium, and increasing your followers and engagement (likes, reposts, etc.).
1. X’s Official Monetization Programs
These programs are available to creators who are subscribed to X Premium.
Creator Revenue Sharing
This program distributes revenue based on the engagement (likes, reposts, replies, etc.) that posts receive from X Premium users. The criteria have shifted from ad impressions to engagement, meaning that increasing interaction with Premium users directly leads to higher earnings.
- Eligibility Requirements (as of 2025):
- Must be subscribed to X Premium.
- Must have over 5 million organic impressions in the last 3 months.
- Must have over 2,000 verified followers.
- Must be at least 18 years old and comply with X’s monetization rules.
- Must have a Stripe account for payments.
- Estimated Earnings:
- Approximately ¥1,300 per 1 million impressions (at an exchange rate of $1 = ¥150).
- Small-scale creators have reported monthly earnings of several tens of thousands of yen.
- The minimum payout threshold is ¥7,500 ($50).
Creator Subscriptions
This feature allows followers to pay a monthly fee for access to exclusive content (bonus posts, limited replies, etc.). It can be a stable source of income for creators with a dedicated fan base.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be subscribed to X Premium.
- Must have over 500 followers.
- Must have been an active account within the last 30 days.
- Must be at least 18 years old with an account history of at least 3 months.
- Estimated Earnings:
- You can set your monthly fee from ¥150 to ¥35,850.
- Creators receive 97% of their earnings until they reach a lifetime total of ¥7.5 million ($50,000), after which the rate decreases to 90%.
- The minimum payout threshold is ¥7,500 ($50).
Other Official Programs
- Ticketed Spaces: You can monetize live audio events (Spaces) by selling tickets to attendees.
- Amplify Pre-Roll: This program allows for revenue sharing by placing short ads before videos, but as of 2025, its availability is limited to certain countries.
2. Indirect Monetization Methods
These methods leverage X’s traffic to generate income. They are generally more accessible to beginners as they have less strict eligibility requirements than official programs.
- Affiliate Marketing: Post links to products or services and earn a commission on sales made through those links (e.g., Amazon Associates).
- Sponsored Posts: Get paid by brands or companies to promote their products or services. The higher your follower count, the higher the rate you can charge.
- Selling Digital Products: Advertise and sell e-books, online courses, and other digital goods on X. You can integrate with external services like Patreon.
- Tips: Set up a Tip Jar on your profile to receive direct donations from followers.
3. Steps to Start Monetizing
- Subscribe to X Premium:
- Starts at around ¥1,200 ($8) per month. You’ll get a blue checkmark, which is a fundamental requirement for monetization.
- Grow Your Account:
- Optimize your profile and settings, and post daily. Videos are particularly effective as they are favored by the algorithm.
- Quickly responding to trending topics can significantly increase your visibility.
- Aim to grow your follower count to at least 500, and ideally over 2,000.
- Apply for Monetization Programs:
- Go to the “Monetization” tab on the X app or website to check if you meet the requirements for each program and apply.
- Payments are processed via Stripe, and the minimum payout amount varies by program, typically ranging from ¥1,500 to ¥7,500.
Important Note: Violating X’s rules (e.g., on violence, sexual content, or copyright infringement) can lead to the loss of your monetization eligibility. Additionally, since earnings are heavily influenced by engagement from X Premium users, it’s wise to focus your content on what resonates with this audience rather than on posts aimed at free users.
Start by consistently posting and working to grow your followers and engagement in your area of expertise. This is the first step toward successful monetization.
