Uncovered: The True Amount of Funds Influencers Receive from Cryptocurrency-Based Gifts
In a recent report published by our platform, the workings and payouts of token-based influencer gifting have been examined across six major social media platforms: Facebook (Meta), Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat.
The report reveals that these platforms retain a significant portion of the money sent by fans as gifts or tokens, with the exact amount varying significantly by provider. On average, platforms retain between 30% to 50% or more of the gift value, leaving creators with 50% to 70%.
Here's a breakdown of the approximate platform retention and creator share for each platform:
| Platform | Approximate Platform Retention | Approximate Creator Share | |--------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------| | Facebook/Instagram (Meta) | ~30% | ~70% | | YouTube | ~30% | ~70% | | TikTok | ~40-50% | ~50-60% | | Snapchat | ~40-50% | ~50-60% | | Reddit | ~30-40% (estimated) | ~60-70% (estimated) |
These figures account for platform transaction fees, currency conversion, and operational costs. However, it is important to note that exact percentages can vary by country, currency, and specific program terms.
Facebook and Instagram (Meta) retain approximately 30% for Facebook Stars, with creators receiving about 70% of the value of the stars given by viewers. YouTube follows a similar model with Super Chat and Super Stickers, keeping 30% while creators receive around 70%. TikTok takes close to 50% or somewhat less of the gift’s monetary value, while creators generally receive around half or slightly more. Snapchat has high platform retention rates, sometimes over 40-50%, due to its complex three-step token system and lack of publicly available information about the conversion rates.
The report also found significant variation in the transparency of the gifting process across the platforms. YouTube displayed clearly communicated gift prices, a single token system, and easy-to-find information about the amounts paid to creators. On the other hand, Snapchat was found to be the least transparent.
Another key finding is that many companies only pay out when a certain balance has been reached, with at least $100 required for Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube. There is also a considerable delay between the gift being sent and a creator receiving their pay-out.
Lucy Ingham, Editor-in-Chief and Head of Content at our platform, is available for commentary and can offer more information about the research. It's worth noting that alternative platforms may take a smaller cut of the gift, ensuring more money for creators.
In conclusion, while token-based gifting is a widely recognized practice, it's essential for creators and fans to understand the financial implications of this method. By being aware of the platform's retention rates and the transparency of the gifting process, creators can make informed decisions about which platforms best suit their needs.
- The report on token-based influencer gifting reveals that technology platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and Reddit, significantly retain a portion of the money sent by fans as gifts or tokens, with the retention ranging from 30% to over 50%.
- As the report notes, business transactions associated with token-based gifting include platform transaction fees, currency conversion, and operational costs. It is therefore crucial for creators to be aware of these financial implications when choosing which technology platform to use.
