Snapchat Spotlight is a new feature on Snapchat that allows users to share public videos that can be viewed by the Snapchat community. Videos posted to Spotlight have the potential to go viral quickly and be seen by millions of Snapchat users around the world. So can posting viral videos to Spotlight actually make you money? The answer is yes!
How Does Snapchat Spotlight Pay You?
Snapchat launched the Spotlight feature in November 2020 as a way to compete with TikTok. They knew they needed something to rival TikTok’s algorithm that sends the most engaging videos viral quickly. So they came up with Spotlight where Snapchat users can post public videos that have the chance to be featured and promoted across the platform.
To incentivize users to post great content, Snapchat said they would pay out $1 million per day to the creators of the top videos on Spotlight. The amount each creator can earn will be based on unique views and other engagement metrics on their Spotlight videos.
Snapchat has not provided the exact formula they use, but it is known your earnings will go up the more views, likes, comments, shares, etc your Spotlight video gets. The potential to earn a share of $1 million per day has proven to be a huge motivation for users to post their best videos on Spotlight.
Requirements to Earn Money from Spotlight
To start earning money from Snapchat Spotlight, there are a few requirements:
- You must be 16 years old and located in a country where Snapchat Spotlight is available
- Your Snapchat account must be public
- Videos must be submitted directly to Spotlight and follow Snapchat’s guidelines
Spotlight is not available everywhere yet. As of October 2022, Spotlight is available in the following countries:
- United States
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Germany
- France
So if you are located in one of those countries, are over 16, and have a public profile, you can start submitting videos to Spotlight. Snapchat will start tracking engagement and paying out daily based on performance.
Tips for Earning More Money from Spotlight
While Snapchat has not provided specifics, these tips can help maximize your earnings potential on Spotlight:
- Post frequently – the more videos you have on Spotlight, the more chances to be featured
- Post vertical videos – vertical 9:16 aspect ratio performs best
- Post trending content – make videos about hot topics and trends for more views
- Use captions – add captions and text overlays for engagement
- Engage with viewers – reply to comments to keep viewers coming back
- Cross-promote – share your Spotlight videos on other social media platforms
- Track analytics – analyze performance data to improve over time
Here is an example data table showing hypothetical daily earnings from Spotlight based on performance:
| Date | Videos Posted | Total Views | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | 1 | 500 | $20 |
| June 2 | 2 | 5,000 | $150 |
| June 3 | 1 | 100,000 | $5,000 |
This shows how posting frequently and getting a viral video can significantly increase your Spotlight earnings. A single viral video can make thousands while everyday videos earn smaller amounts.
How Much Money Can You Really Make?
The daily $1 million fund is split between the top-performing Spotlight videos in each country. So how much can one user actually earn? Here are some examples of real Spotlight creators earning big payouts:
- One creator earned $47,000 for a single Spotlight video
- Another creator averaged $25,000 per month over 3 months
- A college student made $1 million in 7 months from Spotlight videos
These massive payouts are rare, but they show the huge monetization potential. More typical earnings for active Spotlight creators are:
- $100 – $500 per day
- $1,000 – $5,000 per week
- $5,000 – $20,000 per month
So while it is possible to earn life-changing money from a single viral hit, most consistent Spotlight creators make an impressive side income in the thousands per month.
The Keys to Making Big Money on Spotlight
Based on the creators successfully earning big payouts, here are the keys to making significant money from Snapchat Spotlight:
- Quickly build a large following – more followers means more built-in viewers
- Post daily – consistently generating content leads to more views
- Follow trends – capitalize on topics and sounds that are going viral
- Optimize your best content – delete underperforming videos to maximize your top videos
- Cross-promote – market your Spotlight videos on other platforms
While becoming a top Spotlight creator takes significant work, the payoff can be well worth it. The potential to earn tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars from an app on your phone is life changing. Spotlight provides a direct way to monetize your social media following with the right strategy.
Quit Your Job and Do Spotlight Full-Time?
With some creators earning 7 figures from Spotlight, is it possible to quit your job and do Spotlight as a full-time gig? Here are some pros and cons of attempting this:
Pros:
- Huge earning potential if you can consistently get viral videos
- Easy passive income after building an audience
- Tons of creative freedom by being your own boss
- Global audience and impact from going viral
Cons:
- Very unstable and inconsistent income if you don’t go viral often
- No guarantee Spotlight will exist long-term
- Burnout from constantly creating content to post daily
- Algorithms and competition make it harder to be successful
While the potential rewards of becoming a full-time Spotlight creator are massive, the risks and uncertainty make it hard to rely on as a steady career. However, utilizing Spotlight to supplement your income from a regular job or business can earn you a lucrative side hustle.
Taxes on Spotlight Earnings
If you start making significant money from Snapchat Spotlight, you will have to pay taxes on your earnings:
- In the US, Snapchat will send a 1099 form if you earn over $600
- Income is taxed as self-employment income
- You must pay self-employment tax (~15%) and federal income tax
- May have to make quarterly estimated tax payments on your earnings
Be sure to save around 30% of your pre-tax Snapchat income for taxes. Speak with a tax professional to determine how to properly file and pay taxes on Spotlight earnings in your country.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s Spotlight feature presents a huge opportunity for regular users to earn serious cash from viral videos. While becoming a top creator takes dedication, the potential rewards are massive. Consistently earning thousands or even tens of thousands per month is achievable with the right strategy and content. Just be sure to pay your taxes! With the chance to make a stable side income or possibly even a full-time living, Spotlight is a monetization avenue on social media worth pursuing.