Follower count is a starting point, not the answer.
On X, reach is decoupled from follower count. Engagement, niche, and how often posts escape the follower graph decide what an account earns — and what a buyer will pay.
X monetizes through two streams that vary by niche. The ads revenue-share program pays a modest, volatile rate on verified-user impressions. Brand sponsorships and paid posts pay far more per impression and are the bulk of a real account's income.
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.