Can you make money on Snapchat?

You're a master of the 10-second video, a guru of the perfect filter, and you've built a loyal audience on Snapchat. But the question on everyone's mind is: can I actually turn my Snaps into cash?

The answer is a resounding yes, but the path to monetization on Snapchat is a bit different from other platforms. It's not as simple as getting a certain number of views on a single video. It requires a combination of consistency, creativity, and a little bit of strategic thinking.

Let's dive into the various ways you can start earning money on Snapchat, including some of the lesser-known creator programs.

1. The Spotlight Creator Fund (and its Evolution)

Snapchat's Spotlight, the app's short-form video feed, was initially known for its lucrative, but unpredictable, rewards program.

• The Old Model: For a period, Snapchat paid out millions of dollars to creators whose videos went viral on Spotlight. It wasn't about ad revenue; it was a reward for creating a viral hit. This was like winning a mini-lottery—one video could earn you a huge, one-time payout.

• The New Model: Snapchat has largely moved away from this direct-payout model and integrated Spotlight into its broader Creator Monetization Program. Now, views on Spotlight contribute to your overall eligibility and ad revenue, making the earning potential more consistent and less of a high-risk gamble.

• The Takeaway: The days of a single viral Snap earning you a fortune are mostly over. However, creating engaging, shareable content for Spotlight is still a key part of growing your audience and becoming eligible for the formal monetization program.

2. The Lens Creator Rewards Program

If you're a creative with a flair for AR, this is a direct way to get paid for your art.

• How it works: Snapchat has a Lens Creator Rewards Program that celebrates and pays creators who design high-performing Lenses. A "high-performing Lens" is one that is used frequently and widely shared. You don't need to be a Snap Star or have a huge following to get paid; it's all about the performance of your Lens.

• How to qualify: Creators need to build a Lens using Lens Studio and submit it. To be eligible for a reward, a newly submitted Lens must accumulate a minimum number of "Qualified Posters" within a certain period—meaning a set number of unique users who post a Snap with your Lens to their Stories or Spotlight.

• The Takeaway: This is a fantastic opportunity for developers and designers. If you have a knack for AR, you can earn money by creating the next viral Lens, regardless of your follower count.

3. The Sounds Creator Fund

Are you a musician or a sound designer? Snapchat has a program just for you.

• How it works: The Sounds Creator Fund is designed to support emerging, independent artists. If your music or original sound is featured in a popular Snap on the platform and drives new video creations, you could be eligible for a monthly grant.

• How to qualify: To be eligible, artists must distribute their music to Snapchat through a partner like DistroKid. Snapchat looks for sounds that are "driving creation," inspiring internet trends, and defining cultural moments on the platform.

• The Takeaway: This is Snapchat's way of encouraging and rewarding audio-first creators. If you're a budding artist, Snapchat can be a powerful platform to get your music heard and potentially earn some money while doing it.

4. The Creator Monetization Program (The Big One)

For creators who are serious about building an audience, this is the most direct way to get paid for your content.

• How it works: Snapchat has a revenue-sharing model where they place ads within your Public Stories and longer Spotlight videos. When users watch these ads, you get a share of the revenue.

• How to qualify: This program is not open to everyone. To be eligible, you generally need to meet specific criteria, which can include:

  • Having a minimum number of followers on your Public Profile (often 50,000 or more).

  • Consistent and frequent posting to your Public Stories or Spotlight.

  • Achieving a certain number of views or hours of watch time within a given period.

• The Takeaway: This is Snapchat's answer to YouTube's Partner Program. It's for established creators who have built a substantial and engaged audience. If you're just starting out, this is a goal to work towards.

Yes, you can absolutely earn money on Snapchat. It's not just a hobby; it's a viable platform for creators to build a business. While the days of winning a jackpot for a single viral video are mostly a thing of the past, the new, more structured monetization programs offer a more predictable and sustainable path to earning an income.

Whether you're creating viral Lenses, designing popular sounds, or working towards a full-time content career, Snapchat has a growing number of ways to turn your creativity into cash. Happy Snapping!