Last verified: October 21, 2026. Facebook has changed how it pays creators, so many older guides (including our earlier version of this one) are out of date.
Facebook still has billions of users, and that is exactly why so many "earn $500 a day" claims float around it. The reality is more mixed. Some ways of earning need Meta's approval and may never open up for you. Others need nothing but an audience, a clear offer and patience. This guide separates the two, explains how each method works, shows you the exact steps to check where you stand, and gives you a 90-day plan so you are not guessing.
- Facebook's main ad-revenue program is now Content Monetization. It replaced In-stream Ads, Ads on Reels and the Performance Bonus, and it is currently invite-only.
- You will still see websites quoting "10,000 followers and 600,000 minutes watched". That was the rule for the retired In-stream Ads program, and Meta's own announcements do not describe it as the entry rule for Content Monetization. Do not plan around it.
- Stars have a lower entry bar and pay a fixed $0.01 per Star to the creator.
- Affiliate links, selling products or services, and brand deals do not need Facebook's approval, so they are the practical starting point for most beginners.
- Which methods need Facebook's approval?
- Set up your account the right way
- Method 1: Content Monetization (ad revenue)
- Method 2: Stars
- Method 3: Affiliate marketing
- Method 4: Selling products or services
- Method 5: Paid communities and subscriptions
- Method 6: Brand sponsorships
- Is it different if you live in Pakistan?
- A realistic 90-day plan
- Mistakes that cost pages their income
- Frequently asked questions
Which methods need Facebook's approval?
| Method | Needs Meta approval? | Realistic for a beginner? |
|---|---|---|
| Content Monetization (ad revenue) | Yes, invite-only | Not at first |
| Stars | Yes, eligibility check | Possible once you go live regularly |
| Subscriptions | Yes, eligibility check | Later, with a loyal audience |
| Affiliate marketing | No (each program has its own rules) | Yes |
| Selling products or services | No (commerce policies apply) | Yes |
| Brand sponsorships | No | Later, once you have an engaged niche audience |
Step 0: Set up your account the right way
Before any method works, your account has to be able to receive money and show you what you are eligible for.
- Use a Facebook Page or turn on Professional Mode. A plain personal profile has no monetization tools. A Page, or a profile with Professional Mode switched on, gives you the Professional dashboard (mobile) or Meta Business Suite (desktop).
- Turn on two-factor authentication. Meta can ask for it before enabling monetization tools, and it protects your account from takeover.
- Pick one niche. "Online earning tips", "home cooking", "gaming clips" or "local car sales" all work. A page about everything is hard for both viewers and brands to understand.
- Open the Monetization section. In the Professional dashboard or Business Suite, find Monetization and look at each tool's eligibility checklist. Meta shows which box is unticked, such as followers, country, policy status or payout setup.
- Prepare payout details. Payouts need valid payment and tax information, and the rules differ by country. Do this early, because mismatched details are a common reason payouts get blocked.
Method 1: Content Monetization (ad revenue)
Meta merged its three Facebook-funded programs into one. It pays for eligible Reels, longer videos, photos and text posts, and your earnings depend on how your eligible content performs. Meta announced the program in October 2024. As of 2026, access is still by invitation, and Meta has not published a follower number that guarantees entry.
How earnings work: the payout is tied to qualified views and engagement, not to raw view counts. Two posts with the same number of views can earn very different amounts depending on format, audience location, advertiser demand and originality. That is why any promise of "$X per 1,000 views" should be treated as a rough guess at best.
What you can control:
- Post original content on a steady schedule. Reposted or lightly edited videos from other people are a leading reason pages are restricted for "limited originality".
- Follow Meta's Partner Monetization Policies and Content Monetization Policies. Read them once, fully.
- Check the dashboard regularly, and use the option to express interest if it is shown for your account.
Creator Fast Track: in 2026 Meta also introduced a separate program aimed at established creators from Instagram, TikTok or YouTube who want to build on Facebook. If you already have an audience elsewhere, look for it in your dashboard.
Method 2: Stars
Viewers buy Stars and send them during live streams and on eligible videos. Creators receive one cent ($0.01) per Star. That predictability is useful, but it is small money: 10,000 Stars equals $100, and payouts follow Meta's payout rules and thresholds for your country.
- Check Stars eligibility in the Monetization section. Some guides mention a few hundred followers held for 30 days, but Meta changes this, so trust your own dashboard.
- Go live on a fixed schedule, for example three evenings a week, so viewers know when to show up.
- Acknowledge people who send Stars by name, and reply to comments during the stream. Live engagement is what drives Stars.
- Do not ask viewers for Stars in a pushy way. It hurts retention and can attract policy warnings.
Method 3: Affiliate marketing
You recommend a product and earn a commission when someone buys through your link. It works on Facebook Pages and in Reels if you give real value first and disclose that the link is an affiliate link.
- Choose a niche where people buy: software, courses, gadgets, home tools or finance tools you have actually used.
- Show, do not just link. A 30-second Reel demonstrating a tool beats a bare link in a caption.
- Read each program's terms. Commission rates range widely, from low single digits to much higher, so do not trust any fixed percentage from a blog post.
- Avoid link-dropping in random groups. It gets accounts restricted and builds nothing.
New to affiliate marketing? Start with our guide to Amazon Associates earnings and commission rates.
Method 4: Selling products or services
Facebook Marketplace is mainly for selling items locally, and a Facebook Shop lets a Page list products. Availability and fees vary by country, and Meta has commerce policies on what you may sell, so read them before you list anything.
Service sellers (design, writing, video editing, social media help, tutoring) can use a Page as a portfolio. Post before-and-after examples, short client results and a clear call to action such as "message us to book". A single good service client is often worth more than months of ad revenue from a small page.
Method 5: Paid communities and subscriptions
Facebook has its own Subscriptions tool for eligible creators, and you can also run a paid community elsewhere (a membership platform, or a WhatsApp or Telegram group) and use Facebook to find members. The rule is the same either way: build a free audience that trusts you first, then offer something paid that clearly helps them, such as templates, live Q&As, feedback or a structured course.
Method 6: Brand sponsorships
Brands pay creators to feature products, usually when a Page has a focused niche and engaged followers rather than just a big number. Rates vary widely by niche, audience and country, so be wary of any guide that promises a fixed price per post.
- Create a one-page media kit: your niche, audience location, average reach and examples of your best posts.
- Message small and mid-sized brands directly, and offer a specific idea, not just "do you want to collaborate?".
- Tag paid partnerships with Facebook's branded content tools and disclose them clearly.
Is it different if you live in Pakistan?
It can be. In March 2025, ProPakistani reported that many Pakistani creators lost features such as in-stream ads and reel ads after Facebook tightened its financial eligibility rules, with bank and tax details required from eligible countries. Rules and country lists change, so confirm your own status in the Monetization tab before you build a plan around any one program. Methods that do not depend on Facebook's approval (affiliate, services, sponsorships) are the safer base. Never use someone else's identity, bank details or a fake address to get around a country restriction. It can get your page banned and your earnings withheld.
A realistic 90-day plan
| Period | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-30 | Foundation | Pick a niche, set up the Page and Professional dashboard, enable two-factor authentication, post 3-5 original items a week, read Meta's monetization policies. |
| Days 31-60 | Find what works | Check which posts get the most reach and retention, double down on that format, start going live weekly, and join one affiliate program you can honestly recommend. |
| Days 61-90 | First income | Add one offer (affiliate, a service or a small digital product), pitch 5-10 small brands, and check your Monetization tab for newly unlocked tools. |
Mistakes that cost pages their income
- Reposting other people's videos. Originality is a core requirement, and duplicate content is increasingly suppressed.
- Buying followers or engagement. It breaks policy and gives you an audience that never watches.
- Posting about everything. One niche makes it easier for viewers and brands to understand why they should follow you.
- Ignoring policy warnings. A single unresolved violation can block monetization tools.
- Trusting "monetization service" sellers. Anyone who offers to monetize your page for a fee, or asks for your login, is a scam.
- Expecting income in weeks. Most pages need months of steady posting before any money appears, and many never qualify for ad programs.
Not sure whether an earning offer is real? Read our guide on how to spot fake money-making apps.
Frequently asked questions
How many followers do I need to earn on Facebook?
There is no single number. Content Monetization is invite-only with no public guaranteed threshold, while tools like Stars have their own eligibility checks shown in your dashboard. Affiliate links and selling need no minimum.
Is the 10,000 followers and 600,000 minutes rule still valid?
That was the requirement for In-stream Ads, which has been merged into Content Monetization. Some websites still repeat it, but Meta's own announcements describe an invite-based program. Treat the old rule as outdated and check your dashboard.
Can I earn from a personal profile?
Some tools are available to personal profiles that turn on Professional Mode. Check what your dashboard offers, since it varies by country and account.
How much do Stars pay?
One cent per Star to the creator. Ad revenue from Content Monetization is not fixed and depends on performance, audience location and content type.
How long does it take to get monetized?
It varies a lot. Some creators are invited within months, others never are. Plan for your first real income to come from affiliate links, services or sponsorships rather than waiting for Facebook's approval.
Why was my page monetization restricted?
The most common reasons are limited originality (reposted content), policy violations, unmatched payout or tax details, or a country that is not eligible. Your Page Quality or Monetization tab states the reason, and you can usually appeal from there.
Do I need to show my face to earn on Facebook?
No. Faceless pages can work if the content is original and adds value, such as tutorials, voiceover explainers or curated tips you made yourself. Mass-produced or repetitive content is what gets demoted.
Can I earn without any money?
Yes. Posting, affiliate marketing and offering services cost nothing to start. Be careful with anyone who asks for payment to unlock monetization.
Final thoughts
Facebook can be a real income source, but not a fast one. Start with methods that do not need permission, build an audience in one niche, and treat Meta's programs as a bonus when they open up. Check your own dashboard regularly, because this is one of the fastest-changing areas of online earning.
Related guides: how to make money on X (Twitter), how to make money on Instagram, how to earn money with WhatsApp, AI freelancing and YouTube in 2026.
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Sources
- Meta: Monetize More Content with Facebook's New Streamlined Program
- Facebook for Creators: Introducing Facebook Content Monetization
- Buffer: How to Make Money on Facebook in 2026
- ProPakistani: Facebook quietly tightens monetization policy in Pakistan
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not financial advice. Facebook's programs, eligibility rules, payout terms and country availability change often, and earnings are never guaranteed. Always confirm current terms inside your own Facebook dashboard. EarnGuide has no affiliate relationship with the programs mentioned in this post.
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