Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), has acknowledged that the platform has been undercompensating its content creators. This admission came in response to a user’s post amid growing concerns about X’s monetisation framework.
Several creators have reported receiving lower earnings than their counterparts, alongside irregular payment schedules. Musk’s confirmation of payroll discrepancies validates these complaints and signals the need for corrective measures.
“The problem lies in underpaying and inaccurately distributing payments,” Musk stated, adding that “YouTube handles this much more effectively.” In a related exchange, Nikita Bier mentioned that the company is working on enhancements aimed at power users and those who engage with the platform daily.
This statement sparked further discussion when user Peter Duan voiced his frustration over repeated underpayments compared to other creators, urging X to address the monetisation flaws promptly.
Many found Bier’s remarks insufficient, as he implied that the current payout system is more detrimental than beneficial. “At this stage, creator payments are causing more harm than good-we need to transition to a different model,” he remarked.
Musk countered Bier’s viewpoint, reigniting debates surrounding X’s monetisation approach. Creators have frequently criticized the platform for its erratic and unsatisfactory reward system, prompting some to migrate to alternatives like TikTok and YouTube.
Also Read: X introduces ‘synced drafts’ feature enabling seamless draft editing across app and web
Possible Changes in X’s Monetisation Approach
A major point of contention is the platform’s tendency to reward users who repost viral content rather than original creators. This practice has contributed to the proliferation of misinformation and inappropriate content. Many creators argue that X incentivizes content farming at the expense of authentic creativity.
One user, @mitchellvii, commented under Musk’s reply, expressing confusion:
“It seems like X is promoting engagement farming while suppressing genuine creator content. If you simply allowed our followers to see our posts, this issue would resolve itself. The system is being over-engineered.”
This dynamic is already influencing how users and creators interact with the platform.
A 2025 study highlighted increasing dissatisfaction among creators, leading many prominent figures to shift to platforms such as Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads.
The motivations behind this migration include the desire for consistent income, alignment with platform values, and access to superior engagement tools.
Musk’s acknowledgment that YouTube outperforms X in monetisation could mark a turning point for creators on the platform. A revamped policy might be crucial for maintaining X’s reputation and creator loyalty.
Since launching its ad revenue-sharing program in 2023, X has promised to reward Premium subscribers who generate significant engagement with verified accounts. However, the reality has often fallen short of these expectations.
Reports indicate that some users with millions of monthly views have received disproportionately low payments. This inconsistency in revenue, despite stable viewership, has fueled criticism of X’s payout model.
While X’s monetisation policies remain opaque, YouTube’s Partner Program is known for its transparency and predictable payments, taking a 45% share of ad revenue. Musk has been actively seeking ways to enhance X’s monetisation features and overall user experience.
Recently, the platform introduced a much-anticipated feature allowing users to sync drafts between the mobile app and the web interface. This update enables seamless continuation of draft posts across devices, improving content creation flexibility.
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