Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has announced a new monetization model aimed at boosting earnings for content creators. The platform has named 2026 as “the year of the creator” and is urging users to “earn a living from your content.”
In a post dated January 17 from the @XCreators account, X said it closed last year with its highest payouts since the launch of its creator monetization programme, signalling stronger financial reward for creators on the platform.
As part of the update, X has confirmed that it is doubling its revenue-sharing pool. The company said this expansion is driven by growth in Premium subscriptions during 2025. “It’s only fair that we share this with our creators,” the platform said, adding that the move unlocks much higher payout potential across X.
X has also updated how creator payouts are calculated. Earnings will now be based on ‘Verified Home Timeline’ impressions, marking a shift in how content performance is measured and rewarded.
The platform said the revised payout system is designed to reward content that genuinely connects with users. “Your earnings are driven by real views from Premium users who see your posts in their Home feed,” X stated. This change is part of a broader push to highlight the value of longer-form content on the platform.
To further encourage long-form publishing, X has announced a $1 million reward for the top article in the next payout period. “Our goal is to recognize high-value, high-impact content that shapes conversation, breaks news and moves culture,” the platform said.
To qualify for the reward, users must be Premium subscribers, and the article must be original content with a minimum length of 1,000 words.
X has set strict eligibility rules for the top article reward. Only users based in the US can participate. The content must comply with platform policies and must not be hateful, fraudulent, or manipulative.
The platform also clarified that views from users on higher Premium tiers will carry more value than those from lower tiers. X said it will continue to use strong measures to detect fraud and penalise inauthentic activity as part of the updated monetization system.
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