TikTok is loosening its paywall and access to 20-minute videos with its Series functionality, initially open only to select creators. Users can charge money for access to exclusive content.
TikTok is expanding access to its Series feature, initially unveiled in March and available only to select creators. Now more users can make money by putting exclusive content behind paywalls and creating videos up to 20 minutes long.
Creators can lock exclusive content that fans must pay to access, similar to platforms like OnlyFans. Content pricing can range between $1 and $190, and premium videos can be up to 20 minutes long, compared to the 10-minute cap available to some users.
“Series enables eligible creators to post Collections of premium content behind a paywall which viewers can purchase for access,” says TikTok. “One Series can include up to 80 videos, each up to 20 minutes long, giving people a new, longer format to watch their favorite creators and content.”
This expansion opens up a new means of monetization for users in select regions who are at least 18 years old with 10,000 followers and have met other account and view criteria. Users with as few as 1,000 followers who meet other requirements can apply to the program by showing exclusive content they’ve sold elsewhere, but this does not guarantee approval.
“Series is currently only available to select creators with applications to join opening in the coming months,” TikTok explains. “As we’re in the early stages of Series, we’ll continue to listen closely to our community for feedback.”
While premium content is the latest way for TikTok creators to make money from the content they post on the platform, many creators have been frustrated with their payout on the app compared to other platforms like YouTube. TikTok’s original creator fund saw users making pennies for viral videos. Still, the company recently introduced an overhauled version of the fund, the Creativity Program, which requires longer videos in order to qualify.