This decision follows feedback from users who emphasized that platforms failing to fairly compensate creators risk losing their significance. Musk concurred, noting that platforms that reward creators are more likely to maintain ‘authoritative content,’ especially as large language models progressively absorb and replicate online materials.
In a related post, an X user mentioned that enhanced payouts were logical since “the platforms that actually pay will be the only ones retaining any authoritative content left when the LLMs finish consuming the rest of the internet’s homework.”
Musk replied with “OK, let’s make it happen, but strictly enforce no gaming of the system.”
This response is now seen as a precursor to forthcoming adjustments in X’s monetization framework.
Ok, let’s do it, but rigorously enforcing no gaming of the system @nikitabier
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 30, 2025
What Musk is proposing
The fundamental concept is straightforward – increase creator compensation while tightening controls.
X currently provides creator payouts based on engagement and ad revenue share. Musk’s statements imply that these payments could rise, potentially surpassing YouTube in various categories.
Concurrently, Musk stressed the importance of enforcement. According to his post, the worry is that increased payouts might lead to exploitation, including artificial engagement, bot-driven promotion, and orchestrated manipulation.
This is where X’s product leadership plays a crucial role.
Nikita Bier’s role
Nikita Bier, head of product at X, publicly addressed Musk’s directive with a succinct confirmation: “On it. We have a new method that should eliminate 99% of fraud.”
On it.
We have a new method that should wipe out 99% of fraud— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) December 30, 2025
In another post, Bier mentioned that X might “likely link the payout increase with a Premium+ subscription requirement,” suggesting that only verified or paying users could qualify for higher earnings.
Yep, aware of this. Likely will pair the payout boost with a Premium+ subscription requirement.
— Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) December 30, 2025
Why Elon Musk wants to pay creators more than YouTube
This change arrives at a moment when platforms are vying for original, human-generated content, especially as AI-created materials become simpler to produce and harder to tell apart.
For creators, higher payouts could make X a more financially appealing option. For X, the objective seems to be to retain valuable content within its ecosystem instead of allowing it to migrate elsewhere.
