X's Revenue Sharing Program: Opportunities and Pitfalls

The X platform's Revenue Sharing Program (CRSP) allows content creators to monetize directly from ad revenue on posts. This is an opportunity, but also poses many challenges.

Users are learning about the Creator Revenue Sharing Program on the X platform - Photo: DONG HAI

The Creator Revenue Sharing Program on the X platform has become a hot topic, attracting the attention of millions of users, from beginners to professional content creators.

With the promise of monetizing your content, the program is marketed as a “golden opportunity” to turn your creative passion into a sustainable source of income. But is it really a path to financial success or just a “trap” wrapped in a glamorous shell?

How does the revenue share program on platform X work?

X's revenue sharing program, which officially launches in 2023, allows creators to earn money based on engagement and ad revenue from their posts. To participate, creators need to meet the following criteria:

X Premium Membership: Users must subscribe to the X Premium plan (prices range from $7 - $16/month depending on region).

Minimum views: Account must have at least 5 million post views in the last 3 months.

Number of followers: Minimum 500 followers.

Content Compliance: Content must comply with X's policies, not violate copyright or contain false information.

When these conditions are met, creators will receive a portion of the revenue from ads displayed in related comments or posts. The revenue share is not publicly disclosed by X, but user reports suggest it ranges from 50-60% of total ad revenue, depending on the type of content and geographic region.

"Golden opportunity"

High earning potential

Based on posts from creators who have participated in the program, some highly engaged accounts (millions of views per month) report significant earnings.

For example, a user with 10 million views per month can earn between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on the CPM (cost per thousand views) of the ad. The average CPM on X ranges from $0.50 to $2, which is lower than YouTube ($3 to $20) but still attractive enough for those with a large following.

Motivation to create quality content

The program encourages creators to produce engaging content that attracts views and engagement. This creates a diverse content ecosystem, from insightful analytical articles to humorous memes, that caters to a wide range of user groups.

Relative transparency

X offers a dashboard that allows creators to track views, engagement, and estimated earnings. Compared to other platforms like YouTube or TikTok, where algorithms are often cryptic, X seems to be more transparent in reporting metrics.

This chart shows that while revenue on X is lower than YouTube, it is still competitive with TikTok, especially for creators focused on short, viral content.

Bar chart comparing average monthly revenue for a creator with 10 million views across different platforms

Challenges and risks

However, the program is not without risks. One of the biggest problems is the potential for abuse of the system. In May 2025, a lawsuit revealed that a group of eight people in Hanoi , Vietnam, exploited the program by using fake accounts and software to create fake interactions, thereby siphoning off significant amounts of money from X.

They used stolen identities to set up more than 125 bank accounts in the US and transferred money through 1,700 transactions at nine banks in Vietnam. The incident exposed a gap in X’s control system, raising concerns about the sustainability of the program.

Additionally, the focus on engagement from X Premium users could lead to the phenomenon of “engagement farming,” where creators intentionally post controversial or provocative content to attract feedback.

Research shows that emotionally charged content, especially anger, tends to get more replies. This can increase divisive content on the platform, reducing the overall quality of discussions.

High threshold for participation

The 5 million views requirement in 3 months is a huge barrier for new creators. With the average account having 1,000 followers, achieving this number requires consistently viral content, which is not easy in the fiercely competitive environment on X.

Depends on the algorithm

X's algorithm prioritizes posts that are likely to generate a lot of engagement, which can lead creators to chase short-term trends instead of focusing on long-term quality content. Some users have complained that posts that are in-depth but less "sensational" often see a decrease in reach.

Invitation to join from platform X for users - Clip: DONG HAI

Participation costs

Paying the monthly X Premium ($7-$16) can be a burden for beginners, especially if they don’t generate enough revenue to cover it. For example, if a creator only makes $50/month but has to spend $16 on X Premium, the actual profit is very low.

Policy risks

X reserves the right to change its revenue share or program policies at any time. Platforms like YouTube have cut revenue shares in the past, hurting creators. X is no exception, and the lack of transparency about specific revenue shares.

Analysis: Opportunity or Trap?

X's revenue sharing program clearly offers real money-making opportunities for creators with large followings and engaging content, but it's not a "golden opportunity" for everyone.

For newcomers, reaching the required threshold and maintaining high engagement is a big challenge. Moreover, the dependence on algorithms and the cost of joining can make the program a “trap” without a clear strategy.

To clarify, imagine a 3D image of a glittering golden road leading to a treasure (revenue), but along the way are obstacles like walls (view thresholds), traps (algorithms), and costs (X Premium).

This visual can be designed with 3D revenue milestones, where each column represents potential earnings based on views, helping viewers visualize their journey to conquering the program.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuong-trinh-chia-se-doanh-thu-cua-x-co-hoi-va-cam-bay-20250602170408039.htm