If you’re a TikTok creator looking to monetize your content through TikTok Pulse, understanding the eligibility requirements is crucial. TikTok Pulse represents one of the platform’s most lucrative monetization opportunities, but it comes with specific criteria that creators must meet. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about TikTok Pulse eligibility requirements in 2025.
What is TikTok Pulse?
TikTok Pulse is TikTok’s premium advertising revenue-sharing program that allows creators to earn money when brands place ads adjacent to their content. Launched in 2022 and continuously evolving, TikTok Pulse is designed to reward creators whose content performs in the top tier of the platform.
Unlike other TikTok monetization programs, Pulse specifically focuses on high-performing content that attracts brand advertising. When your video qualifies for TikTok Pulse, advertisers can choose to place their ads immediately after your content in users’ For You feeds, and you receive a share of that advertising revenue.
Core TikTok Pulse Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the TikTok Pulse revenue-sharing program as a creator, you must meet several specific criteria:
1. Minimum Follower Count: 100,000 Followers
The most straightforward requirement is follower count. You need at least 100,000 followers on your TikTok account to be eligible for TikTok Pulse. This threshold ensures that creators have established a substantial audience and demonstrated consistent content creation abilities.
This 100K requirement applies to creators, public figures, and media publishers who want to participate in the revenue-sharing aspect of TikTok Pulse. It’s worth noting that this is significantly higher than other TikTok monetization programs like the Creator Fund, which historically had lower entry barriers.
2. Content Performance: Top 4% of All TikTok Videos
Here’s where TikTok Pulse gets competitive. Your videos must consistently perform in the top 4% of all content on TikTok to qualify for revenue sharing. This means your content needs to be exceptionally engaging, viral, or trending.
TikTok determines this through what’s called a “Pulse Score,” which evaluates various engagement metrics including:
- Views and watch time
- Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)
- Video completion rate
- Trending potential
- Cultural relevance and timeliness
The top 4% threshold is deliberately high because advertisers want their ads placed next to premium, high-performing content that maximizes their brand exposure and engagement.
3. Age Requirement: 18 Years or Older
Like most monetization programs, TikTok Pulse requires participants to be at least 18 years old. This is a standard legal requirement for revenue-sharing agreements and ensures compliance with employment and payment regulations across different countries.
4. Account in Good Standing
Your TikTok account must be in good standing, meaning:
- No active community guidelines violations
- No copyright strikes or intellectual property issues
- Compliance with TikTok’s Creator Code of Conduct
- No history of inauthentic engagement or follower manipulation
- Content that meets brand suitability standards
TikTok applies its “Limited Tier” brand suitability filter to Pulse Core content, ensuring that videos meet advertiser-friendly standards.
5. Geographic Availability
TikTok Pulse is not available worldwide. The program initially launched in the United States and has gradually expanded to additional markets. As of 2025, TikTok Pulse is available in select countries, though the exact list continues to grow. Check TikTok’s official business resources to confirm availability in your region.
Understanding the Top 4% Requirement
The top 4% performance threshold is perhaps the most challenging aspect of TikTok Pulse eligibility. But what exactly does it mean, and how can you achieve it?
What Defines “Top 4%”?
TikTok uses a proprietary algorithm called the Pulse Score to identify top-performing content. This score evaluates content based on multiple factors that indicate cultural relevance and audience engagement. Videos that rank in the top 4% are those generating significant buzz, engagement, and watch time relative to the massive volume of content uploaded to TikTok daily.
To put this in perspective, millions of videos are uploaded to TikTok every day. The top 4% represents only the cream of the crop—content that truly resonates with audiences and drives meaningful engagement.
How TikTok Measures Engagement
While TikTok doesn’t publicly share the exact formula for the Pulse Score, it’s clear that several key performance indicators matter:
Engagement Rate: The ratio of engagements (likes, comments, shares) to views is crucial. High engagement signals that your content resonates strongly with viewers.
Watch Time and Completion Rate: Videos that people watch all the way through, or even rewatch, signal quality content. TikTok prioritizes content that keeps viewers on the platform.
Trending Potential: Content that sparks trends, uses trending sounds effectively, or creates viral moments has a better chance of reaching the top 4%.
Cultural Relevance: Videos that tap into current conversations, seasonal moments, or community interests tend to perform better.
Consistency: One viral video isn’t enough. You need to consistently produce high-performing content to maintain Pulse eligibility.
One of the most attractive aspects of TikTok Pulse is the revenue-sharing model. Creators receive a 50/50 split of the advertising revenue generated when brands place ads after their content.
How the Revenue Split Works
When an advertiser chooses to run a TikTok Pulse campaign, they pay TikTok to place their ads adjacent to top-performing content. If your video is selected and an ad runs after it, you receive 50% of the revenue TikTok earns from that placement.
This is a significant revenue share compared to some other platforms and demonstrates TikTok’s commitment to rewarding top creators. The 50/50 split applies regardless of the specific Pulse offering—whether it’s Max Pulse, Category Lineups, or Seasonal Lineups.
Payment Timeline
Creators typically receive their TikTok Pulse earnings in the first half of the month following the month in which the revenue was generated. For example, if your content earned Pulse revenue in September, you’d receive payment in early October.
How Much Can You Earn?
Actual earnings from TikTok Pulse vary significantly based on several factors:
- How often your content makes the top 4%
- The number of ads placed adjacent to your videos
- Advertiser demand in your content category
- Your geographic location and audience demographics
- Seasonal advertising trends
While TikTok doesn’t publicly disclose exact earnings figures, creators in the program have reported earnings ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per month, depending on their content performance and consistency.
TikTok Pulse for Different User Types
TikTok Pulse isn’t just for individual creators. The program extends to several categories of content producers:
Individual Creators
Individual content creators with 100K+ followers are the primary target audience for TikTok Pulse. If you’re a creator who consistently produces viral or high-engagement content, you’re exactly who TikTok wants in this program.
Public Figures
Celebrities, athletes, musicians, and other public figures with TikTok accounts can also participate in TikTok Pulse, provided they meet the follower and performance requirements.
Media Publishers
News organizations, media companies, and digital publishers can participate in TikTok Pulse through both the standard program and TikTok Pulse Premiere. Pulse Premiere is a premium tier that places ads directly after content from top publisher partners like Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Conde Nast, and major sports leagues including the NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS.
TikTok Pulse Suite: Understanding Different Offerings
In 2025, TikTok Pulse has evolved into a comprehensive suite of offerings. Understanding these can help creators maximize their monetization potential:
Pulse Core
This is the standard TikTok Pulse offering where ads are placed adjacent to the top 4% of user-generated content. Pulse Core includes several sub-categories:
Max Pulse: Ads placed next to the top 4% of content across all categories for maximum reach.
Category Lineups: Top trending content within specific categories like Beauty & Personal Care, Sports & Recreation, Gaming, Food & Beverage, and more. This allows brands to build associations with specific content genres.
Seasonal Lineups: Special lineups featuring top trending content during key moments like holidays, back-to-school season, major sporting events, and other culturally significant times.
Custom Lineups: Bespoke lineups created with the help of generative AI to fit specific marketing needs. These are typically reserved for larger advertising campaigns.
Pulse Premiere
This premium tier features content from TikTok’s top publisher partners. While most individual creators participate in Pulse Core, understanding Pulse Premiere is valuable as it represents the premium end of TikTok’s advertising ecosystem.
How to Apply for TikTok Pulse
Once you meet the eligibility requirements, here’s how to get started with TikTok Pulse:
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
Before applying, confirm that you have:
- At least 100,000 followers
- Content consistently performing in the top 4%
- An account in good standing
- Age 18 or older
- Availability in your country
Step 2: Access the Application
TikTok Pulse applications are typically handled through:
- The TikTok Creator Portal
- Direct outreach from TikTok (they often invite eligible creators)
- TikTok Business support channels
Step 3: Complete Required Information
You’ll need to provide:
- Account verification
- Payment information for revenue deposits
- Tax information (varies by country)
- Agreement to TikTok’s monetization terms
Step 4: Maintain Eligibility
Once accepted, you must continue meeting the requirements. If your follower count drops below 100K or your content consistently fails to reach the top 4%, you may lose Pulse eligibility.
Official TikTok Pulse Resources and Support
For the most accurate and up-to-date information about TikTok Pulse, always refer to official TikTok sources:
- TikTok Newsroom: Official announcements about TikTok Pulse features and updates at newsroom.tiktok.com
- TikTok For Business: Comprehensive information about Pulse offerings at ads.tiktok.com
- TikTok Creator Portal: Access to creator resources and program applications
- TikTok Business Support: Direct assistance with Pulse-related questions
Common Reasons for TikTok Pulse Disqualification
Understanding why creators get rejected from or removed from TikTok Pulse can help you avoid common pitfalls:
Inconsistent Content Performance
Having one or two viral videos isn’t enough. You need to consistently produce content that reaches the top 4%. If your performance becomes sporadic, you may lose Pulse eligibility.
Community Guidelines Violations
Any violations of TikTok’s community guidelines can immediately disqualify you from monetization programs, including Pulse. This includes content that’s violent, sexually explicit, promotes dangerous activities, or violates intellectual property rights.
Inauthentic Engagement
Buying followers, using bots to inflate engagement, or participating in artificial engagement schemes will get you permanently banned from TikTok Pulse and potentially from TikTok entirely.
Brand Safety Issues
Content that doesn’t meet advertiser-friendly standards—such as controversial political content, excessive profanity, or sensitive topics—may not qualify for Pulse even if it performs well.
Dropped Below 100K Followers
If your follower count falls below the 100,000 threshold, you’ll lose Pulse eligibility until you regain that follower level.
Tips to Improve Your TikTok Pulse Eligibility
If you’re working toward meeting TikTok Pulse requirements or want to maintain your eligibility, consider these strategies:
Focus on Viral Content Formulas
Study what makes content go viral on TikTok:
- Strong hooks in the first 3 seconds
- Trending sounds and effects used creatively
- Relatable, shareable content
- Content that encourages participation or response
- High production quality without being overproduced
Post Consistently
The TikTok algorithm favors consistent creators. Posting daily or several times per week increases your chances of having multiple videos in the top 4% at any given time.
Engage With Your Audience
Respond to comments, create content based on audience requests, and build a community around your content. High engagement rates are crucial for reaching the top 4%.
Stay on Top of Trends
Jump on trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges quickly. Early adoption of trends can significantly boost your content’s performance.
Analyze Your Analytics
Use TikTok’s built-in analytics to understand what content performs best. Double down on content types, topics, and formats that consistently generate high engagement.
Diversify Your Content Strategy
While staying true to your niche, experiment with different content formats, video lengths, and storytelling approaches to keep your content fresh and engaging.
2025 Updates and Changes to TikTok Pulse
TikTok continuously evolves its monetization programs. Here are recent developments in TikTok Pulse for 2025:
Enhanced Brand Safety Measures
TikTok has implemented even more rigorous brand safety filters in 2025, achieving an average brand safety rate of 99.9% for content adjacent to Pulse ads. This is verified by third-party services like Integral Ad Science, DoubleVerify, and Zefr.
Expanded Category Lineups
TikTok has added more content categories to Pulse, giving creators in niche verticals better opportunities to monetize their content. New categories in 2025 include Education & Learning, Wellness & Mental Health, and Sustainable Living.
AI-Powered Custom Lineups
The introduction of generative AI to create custom content lineups means more opportunities for creator content to be matched with relevant brands, potentially increasing earning opportunities.
Geographic Expansion
TikTok Pulse continues to expand to new countries and regions, making the program accessible to more creators globally.
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Pulse Eligibility
How many followers do I need for TikTok Pulse? You need at least 100,000 followers to be eligible for the TikTok Pulse revenue-sharing program.
What does “top 4% of content” mean? This refers to videos that perform exceptionally well based on TikTok’s Pulse Score, which evaluates engagement, watch time, cultural relevance, and other performance metrics. Your content must consistently rank among the best-performing 4% of all videos on TikTok.
How much money can I make with TikTok Pulse? Earnings vary widely based on content performance, advertiser demand, and how consistently your videos reach the top 4%. Creators report earnings ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars monthly, with a 50/50 revenue split with TikTok.
Is TikTok Pulse available in my country? TikTok Pulse is available in select countries and continues to expand. Check TikTok’s official business resources or contact TikTok Business support to confirm availability in your region.
Can I apply for TikTok Pulse if I have exactly 100,000 followers? Yes, 100,000 followers is the minimum threshold. As long as you meet this requirement and the other eligibility criteria, you can apply.
Do all my videos need to be in the top 4% to qualify? Not necessarily every single video, but you need to consistently produce content that reaches the top 4%. One-off viral videos won’t sustain Pulse eligibility—consistency is key.
How long does it take to get approved for TikTok Pulse? Approval timelines vary. Some creators receive invitations from TikTok directly if they meet eligibility criteria, while others may need to apply through the Creator Portal. The process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
What’s the difference between TikTok Pulse and the Creator Fund? The Creator Fund pays creators based on video views and engagement, while TikTok Pulse shares revenue from ads placed adjacent to your content. Pulse typically offers higher earning potential but has stricter eligibility requirements (100K followers vs. Creator Fund’s lower threshold).
Can I lose TikTok Pulse eligibility after being accepted? Yes, if your follower count drops below 100K, your content stops consistently reaching the top 4%, or you violate community guidelines, you can lose Pulse eligibility.
Do I need to be verified to join TikTok Pulse? No, account verification (the blue checkmark) is not required for TikTok Pulse. However, you must meet the follower and performance requirements.
Conclusion: Is TikTok Pulse Worth Pursuing?
TikTok Pulse represents one of the most lucrative monetization opportunities on the platform for creators who can consistently produce top-tier content. The 50/50 revenue split is competitive, and the program rewards exactly what every creator should be doing anyway—creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with audiences.
However, the eligibility requirements are intentionally high. The 100,000 follower threshold alone puts Pulse out of reach for many creators, and the top 4% performance requirement means you need to consistently produce viral or near-viral content.
If you’re serious about growing your TikTok account to reach that 100K threshold and consistently create content that performs in the top 4%, you need a strategic approach to content creation and audience building. Understanding the algorithm, mastering trending content, and developing a unique voice that resonates with your audience are all essential.
Ready to master TikTok and unlock monetization opportunities like TikTok Pulse? Check out our comprehensive guide: TikTok Decoded: You’re Not Failing, You’re Just Missing the Map. It breaks down the exact strategies successful creators use to grow their following, understand the algorithm, and create content that consistently goes viral. Don’t leave your TikTok success to chance—get the roadmap you need to reach your creator goals.
Last Updated: October 5, 2025
About TikTok Decoded: We’re dedicated to helping creators understand and master TikTok’s ever-evolving platform. From algorithm insights to monetization strategies, we provide actionable advice backed by real data and creator experiences.
