X updates revenue sharing rules
X changed its revenue‑sharing rules to prioritise impressions from a creator's home region, a move meant to boost local reach and curb attention‑gaming across markets like the U.S. and Japan. That shift could alter global creators' strategies for punching into new markets versus doubling down on regional content. (x.com)
Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, posted the policy thread on March 25, 2026, laying out the planned revenue‑sharing tweak and its intent to shift which impressions count most toward payouts. (engadget.com ) The update was scheduled to go into effect on Thursday, March 26, 2026, according to the company’s timeline in the announcement. (androidheadlines.com ) Bier explicitly framed the change as a move to “disincentivize gaming the attention of US or Japanese accounts,” noting the U.S. and Japan are X’s largest user markets. (tech.yahoo.com ) Creators from multiple regions — including Nigeria, Kenya, India and Europe — mobilised complaints within hours, with at least one France‑based creator saying 43% of her audience is American and warning the rule would cut legitimate English‑language reach. (firstpost.com ) Within hours of the backlash, Elon Musk replied on the platform, writing “We will pause moving forward with this until further consideration,” and the rollout was put on hold. (techcrunch.com ) Under X’s existing Creator Revenue Sharing rules cited by industry trackers, qualifying accounts must hold an X Premium subscription, have roughly 5 million organic impressions in the prior three months and maintain at least 500 verified followers to participate. (searchengineland.com )
