Follower count is a starting point, not the answer.
Engagement rate, niche, and the For You algorithm decide what buyers will pay. A 50K-follower account with high engagement often out-earns a 500K-follower account at 1%.
Active TikTok creators earn through a mix that varies by niche. Creator Rewards is a baseline. Brand sponsorships pay 10–100x more per impression. TikTok Shop affiliate revenue is now dominant for commerce-aligned accounts.
Sponsored deals price on actual reach and engagement, not follower-count vanity. An honest model accepts engagement rate as an input rather than inferring it.