Elon Musk-owned social media platform X is testing a new creator incentive programme that could reward selected users with $3,000, approximately Rs 2.85 lakh, for publishing 15 original videos. The Video Kickstart Bonus will help create more short-form videos on the platform.
However, there is one big catch: the programme is only available to invited creators. Moreover, meeting the posting requirements does not guarantee payment, since X retains discretion over whether to issue the bonus.
What is X's Video Kickstart Bonus?
The Video Kickstart Bonus is a limited pilot programme to encourage creators to publish original videos on X. In X's official promotional terms, eligible participants can be considered for a bonus after meeting certain posting requirements during a campaign period.
The first campaign runs from October 15 through November 14, 2026 based on Pacific Time. The invited creators must sign up by October 30 to participate in this round.
The reward is a guaranteed $3,000 bonus, which corresponds to about Rs 2.85 lakh. Unlike engagement-based monetisation, the incentive is not a payment based on views or likes.
How Can Creators Earn Rs 2.85 Lakh?
Creators need to meet the following requirements to be considered for the Video Kickstart Bonus:
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Publish 15 qualifying videos: Participants must upload at least 15 eligible videos during the campaign.
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Post across 15 different days: At least one qualifying video must be published on each of 15 separate calendar days.
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Use vertical video format: Videos must follow a 9:16 aspect ratio and be shorter than three minutes.
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Create original content: Videos must be the creator's own work, with the necessary rights to publish and monetise them.
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Keep videos public: Qualifying videos must remain available through the campaign and the subsequent review period.
Publishing several videos on the same day will not replace the requirement to post across 15 different days.
What is the Big Catch?
The biggest limitation is that the programme is invite-only. Creators can’t just sign up and claim the bonus. X has not publicly disclosed a complete set of criteria that guarantees an invitation.
The programme will also require the invited users to meet eligibility and payment requirements. This includes maintaining an account in good standing, subscription and location verification, and payment verification.
Importantly, X's official terms state that receiving an invitation, enrolling, and meeting the posting targets do not create an automatic right to payment. The platform reviews qualifying content and decides whether a reward will be issued.
Can creators use Instagram videos and/or YouTube shorts?
Creators can use their own videos already published on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube if they meet X’s originality requirements and do not carry the watermark, name, or logo of another platform.
However, simply reposting someone else's video does not qualify. Commentary or reaction content must satisfy the programme's originality and other content requirements.
How is eligibility checked and joining?
Invited creators can open Creator Studio on X and look for the Video Kickstart Bonus under the Programs section. They should review their invitation, enrolment deadline, campaign dates, and complete terms before participating.
As X competes with other short-video platforms, the programme could help X attract more original video content. For creators, it will bring benefits to have at least some rewards, but it is a pilot, not a guaranteed income, for every user.
Until X announces wider access, creators who have not received an invitation can't assume that they are eligible for the bonus.
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