As the United States Supreme Court deliberates over the potential ban of TikTok, the creators are poised to face the most substantial impact. TikTok, a platform that has narrowly escaped multiple ban attempts in recent years, might be on the brink of a shutdown that could drastically affect its content creators.
In 2024, TikTok’s U.S. creators collectively earned nearly half a billion dollars, even after deductions for platform and App Store fees, according to data from Appfigures Intelligence. This significant revenue comes primarily from TikTok’s innovative use of in-app purchases, where users buy coins to tip creators, who can then convert these coins into real money. With TikTok standing as the world’s top-earning app, the financial implications for creators are considerable.
In December alone, TikTok’s gross revenue from U.S. users buying coins amounted to $144 million. Out of this, about 30%—or approximately $43 million—went to Apple and Google as part of their standard fees, leaving the rest to be split between TikTok and the creators. This calculation suggests that creators received around $51 million last month, which highlights the potential scale of financial loss should TikTok be banned in the U.S.
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Given the sizeable earnings at stake and the platform’s role in the livelihoods of many creators, the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision carries significant financial and cultural consequences. As discussions proceed, all eyes are on the court’s impending decision, which could influence the future of digital content creation in the U.S.
