Facebook offers several ways to earn money, but most require you to build an audience first
Facebook does not pay you straightforward for having an account or posting occasionally. The platform offers income through specific programs designed for creators, businesses, and content producers — but each one has real requirements around audience size, content type, and engagement. You cannot earn money on Facebook the way you might earn interest in a bank account. You earn by meeting the platform's standards and letting Facebook share revenue from ads or subscriptions tied to your content.
The most common routes are the In-Stream Ads program (Facebook shares ad revenue from videos you post), Stars (viewers send you money directly), Subscriptions (you charge followers a monthly fee), and Branded Content (companies pay you to feature their products). Each has different thresholds, different approval processes, and different payment schedules. Understanding which one fits your content and audience size matters before you spend time building toward a program you cannot actually join.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's In-Stream Ads program requires at least 10,000 page followers and 600,000 total video views in the past 60 days before you can turn it on.
- Stars let viewers send you money directly with no minimum audience size, though Facebook takes 30 percent of each payment.
- Subscriptions require 10,000 followers and let you charge subscribers a monthly fee, with Facebook taking 30 percent of revenue.
- Branded Content requires approval from Facebook and means companies pay you to post about their products, with no fixed audience minimum but with disclosure requirements.
- Facebook pays creators monthly via bank transfer or PayPal, but only once your account balance reaches the payment threshold (usually $100).
In-Stream Ads: The largest income source for video creators
In-Stream Ads is Facebook's main revenue-sharing program. Facebook places ads before, during, or after your videos, and you receive a portion of what advertisers pay. The exact split varies, but Facebook typically keeps 45 percent and you receive 55 percent. This is the program most creators think of when they ask how to make money on Facebook.
To join, your page must have at least 10,000 followers and your videos must have generated 600,000 total views across all videos in the past 60 days. You also must follow Facebook's Community Standards and Monetization Policies — this means no hate speech, no misinformation, no graphic violence, and no content that violates copyright. Once you meet these thresholds, you can request to join the program through your Page settings under Monetization. Facebook reviews your request and notifies you whether you are accepted.
The income from In-Stream Ads varies widely. A video with 10,000 views might earn $20 to $200 depending on your audience's location (US and UK viewers generate higher ad rates than viewers in other countries), the time of year (advertisers spend more in Q4), and the content category. You do not control ad placement or frequency — Facebook does. Your job is to create content that keeps viewers watching, because longer watch time means more ad impressions and higher earnings.
Stars: Direct payments from viewers with no audience minimum
Stars is Facebook's version of a tip jar. Viewers purchase Stars (Facebook's virtual currency) and send them to you during live streams or on video posts. You convert those Stars to money at a rate of roughly $0.01 per Star, though the exact conversion fluctuates. Unlike In-Stream Ads, there is no minimum audience size — anyone with a Facebook page can turn on Stars.
To enable Stars, go to your Page settings, find the Monetization section, and toggle on Stars. You can then receive Stars during live videos and on regular video posts. Viewers see a Stars icon and can send you between 1 and 500 Stars per transaction. Facebook takes 30 percent of the value; you keep 70 percent. So if someone sends you 100 Stars worth $1, you receive $0.70.
Stars work best if you already have an engaged audience or if you go live regularly. People send Stars during live streams because they feel a real-time connection to the creator. If you post only occasionally or have a small audience, Stars income will be minimal. But if you build a habit of going live and interacting with viewers, Stars can become a steady small income stream even before you may have access to for In-Stream Ads.
Subscriptions: Monthly recurring revenue from your followers
Facebook Subscriptions let you charge followers a monthly fee to access exclusive content. You set the price (Facebook suggests $0.99 to $99.99 per month), and subscribers see a badge next to their name and get access to subscriber-only posts, live streams, and stories. Facebook takes 30 percent; you keep 70 percent.
To turn on Subscriptions, you need at least 10,000 followers. Go to your Page settings, find Monetization, and enable Subscriptions. You then create subscriber-only content and set the monthly price. Subscribers are charged once per month on the same date they signed up. If a subscriber cancels, they lose access to new subscriber-only content when ready, though they can still see older posts you made public.
Subscriptions work best if your followers value exclusive access — behind-the-scenes content, early access to announcements, or subscriber-only live streams. If your content is already public and free, most people will not pay for a subscription. But if you have a loyal audience and can create content they specifically want, Subscriptions can generate predictable monthly income.
Branded Content: Companies pay you to feature their products
Branded Content is when a company pays you to post about their product or service. You disclose the partnership (Facebook requires a "Paid partnership" label), and the company pays you a flat fee or a commission based on sales or clicks. There is no fixed audience minimum, but companies typically approach creators with at least a few thousand engaged followers.
To work with brands, you can either wait for companies to contact you directly, or you can join Facebook's Branded Content marketplace and pitch yourself to brands looking for creators. You can also use third-party platforms like AspireIQ or GRIN that connect creators with brands. When you post Branded Content, you must include the "Paid partnership" label — Facebook requires this by law, and hiding a paid partnership can result in your monetization being suspended.
Branded Content income depends entirely on the deal you negotiate. A small brand might pay $100 to $500 for a single post. A larger brand or a creator with a very large audience might negotiate thousands per post or a commission structure. Unlike In-Stream Ads or Stars, there is no standard rate — you negotiate directly with the company or through a manager.
How Facebook pays you and when money reaches your account
Facebook pays creators monthly, usually between the 21st and 28th of each month. The money goes to a bank account or PayPal address you provide in your Monetization settings. You must set up a payment method before you can receive earnings.
Facebook only pays out once your account balance reaches a minimum threshold, usually $100. If you earn $60 in a month, that money rolls over to the next month. Once you hit $100 total, Facebook processes the payment. This means new creators often wait two or three months before their first payout, even if they are earning money.
You can check your earnings in real time through your Page Insights under the Monetization tab. This shows you how much you have earned from each program, how much is pending, and when the next payout is scheduled. Facebook also sends an email confirmation when a payment is processed.
Requirements and restrictions that affect your income
Facebook's monetization programs have strict content and behavior rules. Your page must follow Community Standards, which prohibit hate speech, violence, misinformation, and harassment. If Facebook detects violations, your monetization can be suspended or permanently removed. This is not a warning — it is when ready.
You also cannot monetize content you do not own. If you post music, you must have the rights to it or Facebook will either mute the audio (removing ad revenue from that video) or claim the revenue for the copyright holder. The same applies to video clips, images, and other copyrighted material. Using trending audio or popular songs without permission is a common reason creators lose monetization.
Your page must also maintain consistent activity. If you stop posting for several months, Facebook may remove your monetization status. You do not need to post every day, but you should post regularly enough that your page appears active.
Comparing the four programs: Which one fits your situation
| Program | Minimum Followers | Minimum Views/Activity | How You Earn | Facebook's Cut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Stream Ads | 10,000 | 600,000 views in 60 days | Ad revenue from your videos | 45% |
| Stars | None | None | Viewers send you Stars directly | 30% |
| Subscriptions | 10,000 | None | Monthly fee from subscribers | 30% |
| Branded Content | None (typically 5,000+) | None | Companies pay you to post | 0% (you negotiate the full fee) |
If you have fewer than 10,000 followers, Stars is your only option right now. Focus on building engagement and audience size while using Stars to earn small amounts. If you have 10,000 followers and post videos regularly, In-Stream Ads is usually the highest income source, but it requires consistent views. If you have a loyal, engaged audience, Subscriptions can provide steady monthly income. Branded Content works at any audience size if companies are interested in your niche.
Many successful creators use all four programs at once. They earn from ads on videos, receive Stars during live streams, charge subscribers for exclusive content, and negotiate brand deals on the side. The key is starting with what you can do now and building toward the programs that require larger audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to earn $100 and get my first payout?
This depends on which program you use and your audience size. If you are using Stars with a small audience, it might take several months. If you have 10,000 followers and may have access to for In-Stream Ads, you could reach $100 in a few weeks if your videos get consistent views. Most creators see their first payout between one and three months after joining a program.
Can I use multiple income programs on the same page?
Yes. You can have In-Stream Ads, Stars, and Subscriptions all active at the same time. The income from each program is separate, and Facebook tracks earnings from each one. Many creators do this to maximize income from different types of content and audience engagement.
What happens if my page gets suspended or I violate community standards?
Facebook will suspend your monetization when ready. You lose access to all income programs until the violation is resolved. If it is a serious violation, monetization may be permanently removed. You can appeal Facebook's decision, but the process takes time and the outcome is not may provide.
Do I have to pay taxes on money I earn from Facebook?
Yes. Income from Facebook is taxable income in most countries. In the United States, you must report it on your tax return. If you earn more than a certain amount (varies by state and country), you may need to pay quarterly estimated taxes. Keep records of your earnings and consider consulting a tax professional if this is your primary income source.
Can I earn money on a personal profile, or does it have to be a page?
Facebook's monetization programs are only available on Pages, not personal profiles. You must create a Page (separate from your personal profile) and build followers on that Page. You can promote your Page through your personal profile, but the income programs only work on Pages.