Robby Lefkowitz, a creator on X, earned approximately $80,000 from the platform over two and a half years, a level of income that may become significantly harder for many to achieve under X's new Original Content Rewards program. The $80,000 income earned by Robby Lefkowitz, reported by Fortune, highlights the previous potential for creators to monetize their content. The shift to a new rewards system fundamentally alters how creators can generate revenue from their efforts on the platform.
X is introducing a new 'Original Content Rewards' program to support creators, but the stringent new eligibility requirements and the shift from revenue sharing to rewards could significantly reduce the number of creators who can earn substantial income. This change marks a critical juncture for content creators relying on the platform for earnings.
X appears to be prioritizing content that directly drives premium subscriptions and engagement from its paying user base, potentially at the cost of alienating a broader range of creators who previously benefited from a more inclusive revenue sharing model.
The New Rules for Earning on X
- X shut down its Creator Revenue Sharing program on September 7, 2023, replacing it with the Original Content Rewards program, according to Fortune. MediaPost had previously reported that X 'will replace its Revenue Sharing program next month,' indicating a rapid and perhaps fluid transition period for the platform's new policies.
- Creators will need a minimum of 500 verified followers or followers who also pay for X Premium, Premium+, or Premium Business, according to Mashable.
- Creators will also need at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users over the last 90 days to qualify for the program, Mashable reported.
These new, stricter criteria, coupled with the explicit transition, indicate X's intent to reward creators who can directly drive engagement and subscriptions from its paying user base. The requirements suggest a focus on content that resonates with a specific, paying demographic, rather than broad reach.
Aligning Rewards with X's Premium Strategy
X Basic is priced at $3 per month or $32 per year, according to PCMag. This entry-level subscription offers users expanded features beyond the free tier. The platform also offers X Premium+ at $40 per month or $395 per year, providing a more comprehensive suite of benefits for its most engaged users.
The SuperGrok subscription, which offers advanced AI capabilities, is priced at $30 a month or $300 a year, PCMag reported. These varying premium tiers illustrate X's multi-faceted approach to generating subscription revenue. Free X users are limited to 280 characters per post, while X Basic subscribers can post up to 25,000 characters, further differentiating the value proposition of paid memberships.
By tying rewards to engagement from paying subscribers, X is clearly incentivizing content that enhances the value proposition of its various premium tiers and encourages user upgrades. By tying rewards to engagement from paying subscribers, X positions creators as integral to its subscription growth model, rather than simply content providers. The emphasis on verified user impressions and paying followers suggests a direct link between creator content and X's premium product sales.
The Shift in Creator Monetization
The shift from a broad revenue-sharing model to a performance-based rewards system, coupled with extremely high eligibility criteria, will likely decimate the number of creators who can earn a living wage from X. The shift from a broad revenue-sharing model to a performance-based rewards system, coupled with extremely high eligibility criteria, transforms the platform from a potential income source into a promotional tool for X's subscription business. Robby Lefkowitz's $80,000 earnings, previously achievable over two and a half years, are now contingent on attracting a disproportionately large paying audience.
X is effectively turning its creators into an unpaid sales force for its premium subscriptions, leveraging their content to drive X's revenue rather than sharing a broad percentage of ad revenue. The stringent requirement for 500,000 impressions from *verified users* and the focus on followers who *pay* for X Premium demonstrates that X is effectively turning its creators into an unpaid sales force for its premium subscriptions, leveraging their content to drive X's revenue rather than sharing a broad percentage of ad revenue. The program's name, 'Original Content Rewards,' is misleading; the actual requirements prioritize audience monetization for X's premium tiers over rewarding content quality or broad reach.
The new program's structure indicates X is not just shifting to a performance model, but specifically incentivizing content that converts free users into paying subscribers. The requirement for 500 verified or paying followers and 500,000 impressions from verified users makes this a calculated move. By linking creator rewards directly to engagement from paying users, X is leveraging its content creators to drive its core subscription revenue, shifting the financial burden of content creation onto creators while retaining more ad revenue for itself.
Future Implications for Content Creators
The stringent new requirements for the Original Content Rewards program will likely reshape the types of content prioritized on X. Creators may increasingly focus on strategies to attract and engage verified and paying subscribers, potentially leading to a narrower range of content designed to appeal to this specific demographic. A narrower range of content designed to appeal to this specific demographic could inadvertently reduce the diversity of content available to the broader free user base.
Many existing creators who relied on the previous revenue sharing model, particularly those whose content does not primarily attract or generate impressions from verified or paying users, face reduced or eliminated earning potential. Reduced or eliminated earning potential forces creators to adapt their content strategy or seek alternative platforms for monetization. Reduced or eliminated earning potential signals a clear prioritization of X's subscription business over a generalized creator economy.
Companies shipping AI-generated code are trading velocity for control — and most don't know it yet. Similarly, X appears to be trading broad creator engagement for direct subscription revenue, a strategy that carries its own risks regarding content volume and creator loyalty. The platform's ability to retain diverse content creators will depend on how many can successfully pivot to meet the new, high bar set by the Original Content Rewards program in 2026.
What is the X Original Content Rewards Program?
The X Original Content Rewards Program is a new monetization initiative launched by X to compensate creators for their content. It replaced the previous Creator Revenue Sharing program in September 2026. The program aims to reward creators whose content generates significant engagement from verified users and those subscribed to X's premium tiers.
How does creator revenue sharing work on X in 2026?
Creator revenue sharing on X, as it existed previously, ceased operations on September 7, 2023. X no longer operates a broad revenue-sharing model for creators. Instead, creators must qualify for the new Original Content Rewards program, which has distinct and more stringent eligibility criteria focused on engagement from paying subscribers.
What are the benefits of the X Original Content Rewards Program?
The X Original Content Rewards Program benefits creators who can consistently produce content that appeals directly to X's paying user base. These creators stand to gain financially by driving engagement from verified users and those subscribed to X Premium, Premium+, or Premium Business. The program incentivizes content that supports X's core subscription revenue goals.
