How TikTok’s ad revenue-sharing program TikTok Pulse works

The separation between videos and ads in short-form video feeds has been a big complicating factor in short-form video platforms — like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts — setting up revenue-sharing programs a la YouTube’s program for traditional, long-form videos. But TikTok has actually started to address this issue.

In May, TikTok announced a program called Pulse in which it would run ads against the top 4% of videos on the platform and share ad revenue with the makers of those videos. The platform didn’t explain how this revenue-sharing program would work, though.

In the video featured above, find out how TikTok determines which videos qualify for a revenue split and hear from UM Worldwide’s Stacey Stewart on how TikTok Pulse’s tests with advertisers have fared so far.

More in Future of TV

Future of TV Briefing: Brands are spending more to advertise creators’ content, making usage rights a focal point

This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at what brands spending more money to promote creators’ content means for creator compensation models.

Future of TV Briefing: 5 ripple effects that will shape the future of TV in 2026

This week’s Future of TV Briefing looks at the trends and developments that will shape the TV, streaming and digital video industry in 2026.

‘A year of loose ends’: Digiday editors share top takeaways from 2025

This year was filled with major developments – from Netflix’s planned WBD deal to Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG to Google’s ultimately cookie reversal – and Digiday editors Sara Jerde and Seb Joseph help to recap the year that was (and wasn’t).