Introduction: The Growth of Creators in 2025 

As well as being a tool to share information, ideas, products and experiences, social media in recent years has also become a platform for users – and specifically, content creators – to create tailored and monetised content, in turn earning a revenue from the likes of brand partnerships, affiliate links, subscriptions and more across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. 

It’s estimated a whopping 5.17 billion people now use social media worldwide, so it may come as no surprise the number of content creators – in many cases also known as influencers – has grown exponentially in recent years. In fact, according to investment bank Goldman Sachs, the creator economy is expected to reach $480 billion by 2027. So what’s in it for content creators, and why are many choosing to now make their living on social media? Here we delve into creator monetisation and reveal how you too can make money in 2025 from social media. 

Platforms Offering Monetisation for Creators

• TikTok: Popular for its short videos, TikTok is a great option for content creators who excel at making visual and entertaining content. In order to monetise their content, users need to meet eligibility criteria in order to unlock the TikTok Creator Rewards Program. As part of this programme, content creators can tap into and earn a share of a fund depending on the number of views they amass. Another key way to earn revenue on this platform is via brand collaborations and advertising. 
  
• Snapchat: There are a number of ways content creators can earn a revenue on Snapchat. One way is through its Stories Affiliate Programme, whereby Snapchat inserts ads between regular Snap updates, and creators can receive payment based on revenue generated from the ads – although users will need to meet set criteria in order to participate. Another way is via the The Creator Marketplace, where creators can team up with brands, as well as the Snapchat Spotlight, where monthly rewards can be cashed out for money. 
  
• X:  Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has made some recent changes to its Creator Revenue Sharing Programme, with X Premium [those with the verified blue tick] users now being paid based on engagement – such as how many X Premium users reply to, repost and like a creator’s content – as opposed to the number of ads popping up in replies to their content. 
  
• Facebook: Facebook’s newly-announced Content Monetization programme enables users to earn from Reels, longer videos, photos and text posts, and groups together its previously separate programmes, In-stream Ads, Ads on Reels and Performance bonus. Facebook notes that in the past year, content creator payouts have grown more than 80%, with Facebook paying out more than $2 billion for videos, Reels, photo and text posts in this time. Content creators interested in using this combined approach can register interest now, with enrollment for the Content Monetization programme officially launching 2025.
  
• Instagram: Instagram’s affiliate programme encompasses subscriptions – where users can offer exclusive monthly content – virtual gifts that can be sent by fans, and badges that can be bought by fans during live videos. Another way to earn cash is through its Creator Marketplace, where users can earn money by collaborating with brands. 
  
• YouTube: Content creators can earn money directly from YouTube in a number of ways including through placed advertising, subscriptions such as channel memberships, and merchandise sales through YouTube shopping. YouTube’s Creator Academy is filled with handy resources and videos to help you boost revenue.  

Sponsored Content and Brand Collaborations

To help build your brand, your following and your revenue, you should consider participating in sponsored content and brand collaborations. The bigger the following you have – and the more engaged they are – the more influence and sway you’ll undoubtedly have on your followers’ purchases, and the more interested brands will be in collaborating. A great starting place when identifying brands to collaborate with is to look at your followers and who is engaging with your posts, and to look at influencer or creator marketplaces, such as Instagram’s Creator Marketplace. 

How to Use Affiliate Marketing on Social Media

Another way to make money on social media is through affiliate marketing, whereby content creators share affiliate links on their profiles and posts with their followers. Instagram is a popular platform for affiliate marketing, with links typically being placed in the page’s bio, or via link stickers on Stories. Pinterest is also another great option, as users can use affiliate links on their pins. If you’re producing video content, YouTube is another platform to consider, and you can add affiliate links in the video descriptions, and within the video content itself.

Subscription Models and Fan-Driven Revenue

You only need to look at platforms such as Patreon and Substack to see the popularity of subscription models and fan-driven revenue. Platforms such as Instagram are now giving content creators the chance to introduce subscriptions – and to offer subscribers exclusive content in the form of stories, lives and more. TikToK Live also offers a LIVE subscription, and Facebook offers a monthly Fan Subscription model for creators, too. Another way to boost revenue is through enabling fan ‘gifts’; Instagram and Facebook both offer a ‘gifting’ functionality where followers can show their appreciation of content being posted, while TikTok users can purchase gifts via ‘coins’.

Leveraging Social Commerce for Sales

Got a product to sell? Have you considered selling it via social media? If not, you certainly should; according to a 2024 report by Retail Economics, the UK’s social commerce industry is predicted to rise from £7.4 billion to almost £16 billion by 2028 – a prediction that would see the social commerce market becoming 10% of the total online commerce market. TikTok is one of the platforms leading the way in this arena, with the report identifying 44% of TikTok users as having made a purchase through the platform. 

Maximising Ad Revenue on Creator Platforms

With social media platforms now being the largest advertising channel worldwide since having overtaken paid search, the opportunity to earn revenue through advertising is ripe for the picking. There are a number of ways you can maximise your ad revenue – from ensuring you’re targeting your ads effectively, to using the highest quality of visuals. 

Predictions for the Future of Creator Monetisation

With opportunities for creators to monetise their content on social media via influencer marketing continuing to expand – along with the number of social media users – it’s fair to say the future of creator monetisation only looks set to increase in 2025, and beyond. Looking to start making revenue, or to boost your social media monetisation? Here at Social Chameleon we live and breathe social, and can help you do exactly that. Get in touch today to find out more.