Elon Musk hints X could soon pay creators more than YouTube — but only if a strict new system survives abuse

Elon Musk has indicated that X is preparing to increase payouts for content creators, potentially pushing earnings beyond what YouTube offers. The move appears to be part of a broader effort to retain original and authoritative content on the platform at a time when online material is increasingly being absorbed by large language models.

The signal came through Musk’s public response to user feedback on X, where concerns were raised about platforms failing to compensate creators fairly. Musk agreed with the underlying argument and suggested that payment structures would play a key role in determining which platforms remain relevant.

Below is a breakdown of what Musk said, what changes are being discussed, and why the issue matters for both creators and the platform.

The discussion began with a post from an X user who argued that platforms offering meaningful payouts would be the only ones left with credible content. The user wrote that once large language models finish “eating the rest of the internet’s homework,” platforms that do not pay creators properly would lose authoritative material.

Musk publicly agreed with the assessment. He added that platforms compensating creators were more likely to retain valuable content as AI systems increasingly learn from and reproduce online work. His response suggested that fair payment is not just about creator satisfaction but also about protecting content quality in the long term.

In reply to the user’s post, Musk wrote, “OK, let’s do it, but rigorously enforce no gaming of the system.” That comment is now being viewed as a clear indication that X is preparing changes to its creator monetisation approach.

At the core of Musk’s remarks is a simple proposal: raise creator payouts while strengthening enforcement. X already runs a monetisation system where creators earn based on engagement and advertising revenue sharing. Musk’s comments suggest that these payouts could be increased further, potentially surpassing YouTube in certain categories.

However, Musk made it clear that higher payments would come with tighter controls. His concern is that larger payouts could encourage misuse of the system. This includes artificial engagement, bot-driven activity, and coordinated attempts to manipulate reach and earnings.

By emphasising enforcement alongside higher payouts, Musk signalled that any expansion of creator earnings would be accompanied by safeguards designed to limit abuse.

X’s product leadership moved quickly to acknowledge Musk’s directive. Nikita Bier, the platform’s product head, publicly responded with a brief confirmation, saying, “On it. We have a new method that should wipe out 99% of fraud.”

In a separate post, Bier added more detail, suggesting that X would likely combine the payout increase with a Premium+ subscription requirement. This would mean that only users who are verified or paying for the highest subscription tier may be eligible for enhanced creator earnings.

This approach points to a dual strategy: increasing payouts while narrowing eligibility to users who meet stricter criteria, making abuse harder and enforcement easier.

The timing of the proposal reflects growing competition between platforms for original, human-created content. As AI-generated material becomes easier to produce and more difficult to identify, platforms are under pressure to keep creators who generate distinctive and trusted work.

For creators, higher payouts could make X a more financially viable place to post and maintain content. For X, the objective appears to be retaining valuable material within its own ecosystem rather than allowing it to move to competing platforms.

Musk’s comments suggest that creator compensation is being positioned as a strategic tool, not just a revenue feature, as X adapts to a rapidly changing content landscape.