Elon Musk-led X is testing a new incentive programme under which creators are guaranteed to receive a $3,000 bonus for publishing original videos on the platform. The company has named it the Video Kickstart Bonus programme, confirming that it will initially run as a pilot available only to a select group of invited creators. To earn the money, eligible creators have to publish at least 15 videos across 15 different days within a 30-day campaign period. Each video must be vertical, shorter than three minutes and created by the person posting it. Here’s everything you should know about the new Video Kickstart Bonus programme by X.
The Creator Product Lead at SpaceXAI, Allegra Jacchia, recently posted on X announcing the Video Kickstart Bonus programme. She also confirmed that it’s an invite-only programme and is currently in pilot. The post also lists the criteria for the videos that are eligible for the 30-day period of the campaign. According to the details shared, the videos must be vertical, under 3 minutes, and content you’ve created yourself.
We’re doubling down on video on 𝕏. Today, we’re piloting Video Kickstart Bonus, an invite-only program that rewards creators for posting their video content here. A few things to know: • Videos must be vertical, under 3 minutes, and content you’ve created yourself. • Videos you’ve already shared on other platforms are eligible, as long as they don’t have watermarks. • You must post at least 15 videos across 15 different days within the 30-day period of the campaign. Invites are rolling out over the next few days, and enrollment closes October 30. Happy posting!!
— Allegra Jacchia (@allegrajacchia) October 15, 2026
The good part is that videos you’ve previously shared on other platforms are also eligible, as long as they have no watermarks. The most important thing to note is that you need to share at least 15 videos across 15 different days on the platform.
Commentary can also qualify when creators add meaningful original value to material from other sources.
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The programme is invite-only, and X has not published public eligibility criteria for the invitations. Invited creators see the programme under Programmes in Creator Studio, where they can enrol. There are no performance requirements, so no minimum views or engagement are needed. The Premium, 500-verified-follower and 500,000-impression thresholds that have been reported apply to the separate Original Content Rewards programme, not to Video Kickstart Bonus.
Allegra Jacchia confirmed that X is rolling out invitations to selected creators over the next few days. She added that the creators invited to participate in the pilot programme must enrol by October 30. Taking part in the pilot also offers a fast track to Original Content Rewards, which could open up further earning opportunities on the platform.
Unlike other platforms where monetisation depends on interactions and number of views, X is offering $3,000 (approx. Rs 2,85,000) as guaranteed pay, with a simple and clear target of publishing original videos consistently. Earnings under the bonus are not linked to views or engagement. Engagement from X Premium subscribers matters for Original Content Rewards, which pays out on that basis, and originality has become a bigger priority there.