When I first joined X, it was all about the community—the conversations, the insights, and the ability to share what I know. Monetization wasn’t even on my radar.
But then X introduced its ad revenue-sharing program, and like many others, I was curious. Could I actually make money by simply posting?
Fast forward to today: I’m officially monetized on X, and while it’s not exactly a goldmine, the experience has been eye-opening.
The journey to get here wasn’t easy, and I’ve learned a lot along the way—not just about the platform but also about what really matters when it comes to being on X.
Spoiler: it’s not the payouts.
In this post, I’m breaking down what it took to get monetized, how much I’m actually earning, and why I think the real value of X goes far beyond the dollars. Let’s dive in.
Understanding X Monetization
Twitter, now X, began opening up its ad revenue-sharing program globally in July 2023.
Initially, the program was introduced as a way for creators to earn a share of the advertising revenue generated from ads appearing in replies to their posts. This meant that those who generated high engagement could get a cut of the pie.
However, the platform’s approach has evolved since then.
In a recent update, X announced that it will no longer pay creators based solely on ad revenue generated from their posts.
Instead, the focus has shifted to engagement metrics, which means creators now need to drive meaningful interaction to receive payouts. You can read more about the change here: X will no longer pay on engagement.
While I was initially intrigued by the idea of earning from my content, I wasn’t sure if this would be worth my time. But curiosity got the best of me.
After all, what did I have to lose?
What You Need To Be Monetized On X
There are two main requirements to get monetized on X: you need at least 500 verified followers, and you need to hit 5 million impressions within a 30-day window.
Note, this could change.
In fact, you previously needed just 500 followers but they now must be verified followers.
Verified Followers
I’ve been on X for years on and off, so I already had the verified follower count of 500+.
In my opinion, this is the easier hurdle to hit because as long as you’re posting interesting content, you’ll naturally get there.
It’s about consistency and offering value—if you do that, the followers will come. It’s not instant, but it’s achievable.
It’s important to understand a verified follower is someone who pays for X Premium or Premium Plus. This means they’re actively invested in the platform.
The requirement adds a bit of a twist since your audience needs to be engaged enough to subscribe, but it’s still far easier than hitting millions of impressions.
5 Million Impressions
The impressions requirement, on the other hand, was tough.
I managed to hit 5 million impressions in about five weeks, but it took a lot of effort.
This wasn’t just about posting good content—it was also about strategy. I spent a ton of time replying to other tweets, engaging with larger accounts, and making sure my posts were being seen by as many people as possible.
A LOT of replies, a lot of time thinking about what would resonate, and experimenting with different approaches. It was a grind, but eventually, I made it.
Finally made it, fam.
— Travis Biziorek (@TravisBiziorek) November 16, 2024
I’m officially monetized in X 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/hP3SYifxWn
You could likely hit this achievement as your account’s following and reach grows over time.
But without actively pushing for the impression milestone, that could take years.
I wanted to hit it now and achieve X monetization status so I could start getting paid for my content and engagement ASAP.
How Much I’m Making with X Monetization
When I got that first payout notification, it was exciting—the hard work had paid off, literally.
My first payment was $175.14, covering the period from January 31, 2023, to November 22, 2024.
Going forward, I should get paid every two weeks, assuming I hit the $10 bi-monthly earnings threshold.
So far, I’m not making much—and I may never make much.
There are people like Tiffany Fong who are making incredible money here, but those cases are the exceptions.
oh my god i love 𝕏 so much. i’m so grateful. 😭 pic.twitter.com/zcw4LVlrRs
— Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong_) November 22, 2024
A lot of “monetization coach” accounts are also cropping up, doing very well because they attract a primarily verified follower base that engages heavily with their content.
But I imagine many copycats will eventually realize it’s much harder to make a living on X than it seems.
Ultimately, it’s still early days for X monetization, and I expect a lot of changes to come.
I also believe the algorithm and payout formula will get increasingly better at rewarding quality content and not rewarding engagement bait. Right now, I’m just enjoying the fact that X is willing to pay me for what I was already doing.
In short, I’m not making a whole lot of money by posting on X.
And to be honest, I don’t ever expect to make much directly through their monetization program.
So you may be wondering, why do I do it?
Should You Get Monetized on X?
For me, the biggest benefit of being on X isn’t the ad revenue—it’s the connections and relationships I’ve built.
The people I’ve met so far have been incredibly cool and interesting, and I can see the network effects only growing as my follower base continues to expand.
This is, without question, the best reason to be on X.
If you’re someone who loves sharing your knowledge, engaging in conversations, and being part of a larger community, then monetization can feel like a nice bonus.
It’s an acknowledgment of the value you bring to the platform.
But let’s be real: If your main goal is to make money directly from ad revenue, you’re probably setting yourself up for disappointment. Like most platforms, the money from ads alone isn’t going to replace a full-time income for the vast majority of people.
That said, the real potential lies in what you can do with your audience beyond the ads.
Building a loyal following and earning their trust can open doors to opportunities that go far beyond X.
Think about launching a business, selling a product, creating a course, or even starting a newsletter (I can speak from experience on that last one). These are the ways creators can truly monetize their presence—and in a much more sustainable way than relying on ad payouts.
If you’re considering whether to pursue monetization, I’d ask yourself this: Are you here for the connections and the long-term possibilities, or just for the quick bucks?
Because while X might put a little extra cash in your pocket, it’s the relationships and opportunities that will deliver real value over time.
X Monetization Conclusion
Getting monetized on X has been an interesting journey. It started with curiosity and evolved into a bit of a grind to meet the requirements.
While the dollars coming in are nice, they’re not the main reason I’m here—and I don’t think they ever will be.
What really keeps me engaged on X is the people I’ve connected with, the opportunities to share what I know, and the conversations that spark new ideas. The monetization program is just the icing on the cake.
For anyone considering whether to chase monetization, my advice is to think about your goals.
If you’re here to share, connect, and build something bigger—whether it’s a product, business, or just a loyal audience—then monetization can be a nice bonus.
But if you’re here solely for the ad dollars, it might not be worth the effort.
My advice is to focus on providing value, building connections, and enjoying the process—because that’s where the real magic happens.