Since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian creators have gained access to a unified content monetization program, and the first payments were made as early as January.

What exactly has become available

The program combines several tools into a single package. A unified content monetization program that replaced the previous separate formats. An internal currency for donations from readers. Paid subscriptions to creators. Branded content, meaning an official mechanism for labeling advertising partnerships. There is also a separate bonus for content activity, meaning rewards are credited even without a direct advertising integration in the content. The key difference from other platforms is that you can monetize not only videos but also photos and text posts. This is important because the barrier to creating content here is much lower: you do not need filming or editing.

Requirements for joining

The threshold starts at 5,000 followers, and Ukrainian creators began receiving their first payments at this level. A professional account is required, meaning a regular personal page is not eligible for the program. Industry commentators note that monetization for Ukrainian creators had effectively been operating in test mode for a limited group of users for about a year, and became more widely available at the beginning of 2026.

How much can you actually earn?

A realistic perspective is needed here, and expert estimates are consistent with our experience of analyzing other platforms.

The Ukrainian audience generates a lower cost per thousand impressions compared with Tier 1 countries, so the absolute amounts are small. According to available estimates, most creators with an audience of 5,000–15,000 followers earn approximately $50 to $300 in the first few months. An industry commentator puts it directly: monetization creates the illusion of easy money, but microblogging does not generate substantial amounts of revenue. In other words, it is worth treating this as a welcome supplement rather than a replacement for advertising integrations, which generate more revenue at the same audience size.

The main question: is it worth joining?

There is a significant counterargument here, and it should be presented honestly. According to a digital media market study as of January 1, 2026, Facebook continues to lose its audience, with the figure falling from approximately 10.7 million to 9.7 million active accounts, while Instagram grew from approximately 12.2 million to 13.2 million.

At the same time, according to advertising dashboards, Facebook's advertising reach in Ukraine is approximately 14.9 million users, or around 38% of the population, which is higher than Instagram's 13.2 million. The difference between these figures comes down to methodology: one source counts active users, while the other measures advertising reach, which also includes people who visit the platform infrequently. The platform is losing activity but remains the largest in terms of reach, so it is too early to write it off. The launch of monetization is also the company's attempt to bring back creators who moved to video platforms. For you, this means an opportunity to reach an audience with less competition for attention.

Who is it best suited for?

The platform's audience in Ukraine is noticeably older than the audiences of TikTok and Instagram, meaning it includes people who make purchasing decisions and have money to spend. This means the platform is suitable for topics relevant to this age group, such as finance, real estate, health, parenting, everyday life, travel, work, and education. It is less suitable for youth-oriented topics and trending formats. Another advantage is that text posts work here, meaning the platform offers more than all the others to creators who know how to write but do not want to make videos.

Other income sources besides the program

It is worth remembering that monetization is only one revenue stream. Advertising integrations remain the main source of income at any audience size, and the official branded content mechanism now allows creators to disclose them transparently. Groups and communities are an underrated tool, because an active niche group provides access to a target audience without the algorithmic restrictions that apply to pages. The platform's marketplace is designed for selling products, particularly through local transactions. Affiliate programs work here just as they do elsewhere. Your own services and products remain the most profitable option because the audience has purchasing power.

Taxes

Income received from the company must be declared in the annual tax return. For an individual who is not registered as an individual entrepreneur, the rate is 18% personal income tax plus a 5% military levy, making a total of 23%. For an individual entrepreneur using the simplified taxation system, the rate is significantly lower, but the same condition applies as with other payments from abroad: the funds must be received into a business account at a Ukrainian bank. It is also worth knowing about a legislative initiative proposing to require platforms to submit information about users' income to the tax authorities, after which tax liabilities would be determined based on this data. In other words, you should not expect such payments to go unnoticed.

What you should do

Switch your page to a professional account if you have not already done so. Check whether the program is available in your account, as it was rolled out gradually. Publish text posts and photos, not just videos, because these formats are monetized here, which distinguishes the platform from its competitors. Focus on topics relevant to an older audience. Treat payments as supplementary income and build your main revenue around brand integrations and your own products. Register your entrepreneurial activity before you start receiving regular payments.

Sources

Reports on the launch of the monetization program for Ukrainian creators, including comments from industry experts, in a Forbes Ukraine article; data from the UAMASTER digital media market study as of January 1, 2026; Meta advertising reach statistics for Ukraine according to Admixer; explanations regarding the taxation of income from the platform.