You can make money on Snapchat through its creator monetization program, which pays eligible creators for ads in their Stories and longer Spotlight videos, and through brand deals, affiliate links, selling your own products or services, and sending followers to other platforms where you earn. The official program has high thresholds, so most people start with the other methods. This guide explains the program’s requirements and five practical alternatives.
Snapchat’s creator monetization program
In December 2024, Snap announced a single monetization program that combines its earlier Stories revenue share and Spotlight payouts. It started on 1 February 2025 and lets eligible creators earn from ads in Saved Stories and in Spotlight videos longer than one minute. According to Snap’s announcement, creators must:
- have at least 50,000 followers,
- post at least 25 times a month to Saved Stories or Spotlight,
- post to Spotlight or Public Stories on at least 10 of the last 28 days, and
- reach one of these in the last 28 days: 10 million Snap views, 1 million Spotlight views, or 12,000 hours of view time.
The program is only open in certain countries, which Snap lists in its Creator Hub. Check there before planning around it.
5 other ways to earn from Snapchat
1. Brand partnerships
Brands pay creators to feature products in Stories and Spotlight. Snapchat’s audience skews young, so brands in fashion, beauty, food, gaming and education tend to be most interested. A short media kit with your audience, typical views and example Snaps helps. Use Snapchat’s paid partnership label for sponsored content.
2. Affiliate links
Public Profiles can include links in Stories and on the profile. Recommending products you use, with clear affiliate disclosure, can earn commission before you qualify for any program. See our affiliate marketing guide.
3. Your own products or services
Snapchat’s casual, behind-the-scenes format suits showing a product being made or a service being delivered. Link to your own store or booking page. This works at any follower count and in any country.
4. Creating content for businesses
Many brands want vertical, casual video but lack the skills. If you can film and edit short videos well, you can offer that as a freelance service to businesses, even if your own account is small.
5. Growing across platforms
Most successful creators publish the same idea on several short-video platforms. Snapchat can be one channel among several, with earnings coming from wherever you qualify first. Compare the rules in our guides to making money on YouTube and making money on TikTok.
How to build towards the program
- Switch to a Public Profile so people can follow you and see your Stories.
- Pick one theme that you can post about daily, because the program rewards consistent posting.
- Post to Spotlight regularly. It is the main way new viewers discover creators.
- Track your 28-day numbers in your profile insights so you know how close you are.
- Earn in parallel through one of the methods above while you grow.
Mistakes to avoid
- Posting other people’s videos, which breaks content rules and is excluded from monetization.
- Buying followers or views, which can get your account restricted.
- Promising returns or using misleading claims in sponsored content.
- Forgetting the paid partnership label on brand deals.
- Depending on one platform for all your income.
Not sure which side hustle fits your time and skills? Take the free Side Hustle Finder quiz.
Frequently asked questions
How many followers do you need to make money on Snapchat?
Snapchat’s creator monetization program requires at least 50,000 followers, plus posting and view thresholds. Brand deals, affiliate links and your own products can earn with fewer.
Does Snapchat pay for Spotlight views?
Since February 2025, eligible creators earn from ads in Spotlight videos longer than one minute as part of the unified program, rather than through the older Spotlight payouts.
Is Snapchat monetization available in every country?
No. Snap lists eligible countries in its Creator Hub. Creators elsewhere can still earn through brands, affiliate links and their own products.
Requirements taken from Snap’s official announcement and may change. Confirm in Snapchat’s Creator Hub before relying on them. This article is general information, not financial advice.
