US: Meta offers popular TikTokers $5,000 to join Facebook, Instagram

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has offered to pay up to $5,000 to popular creators in the United States to join Facebook and Instagram.

The social media giant says those joining from “third-party social apps” will get cash based on “an evaluation of your social presence”.

While the company does not mention TikTok by name, the timing would suggest Meta is attempting to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding the fate of TikTok in the United States amid ban. 

Tribune Online reports that the US President, Donald Trump, announced a 90-day reprieve from ban for the Chinese app amid questions on whether Trump would save it for US users. However, Trump in another report by Tribune Online, expressed his openness to his ally and X owner, Billionaire Elon Musk buying the app.

According to TikTok, there are 170 million users in the US, saying many of them rely on the video app for their livelihoods. Therefore, lots of people would be seeking an alternative place to post if the ban becomes effective.

Meta, on its website, explained that popular creators accepted into the so-called “Breakthrough bonus programme” will be paid the money during their first 90 days on the app, so long as they post regularly, BBC reports. 

It further mandated that users must post at least 20 reels on Facebook and 10 reels on Instagram – Meta’s version of vertical TikTok videos – during each 30-day period. 

According to the company, these videos must be original, and not previously shared on other platforms.

However, not everyone can join the programme — cash will only be available to those people who are completely new to either Facebook or Instagram.

Also, Meta will seemingly decide who to accept on a case-by-case basis, as people must apply to be accepted onto the programme.

The company is also offering other perks, such as a free subscription to its blue check verification system.