In 2023, the earnings of creators using VKontakte’s official monetization features rose significantly, signaling a shift in how creators in the VK ecosystem monetize their content. The platform reported to socialbites.ca through its press service that total creator income from VK’s built-in money-making tools grew by 37 percent, reaching 5.5 billion rubles. This growth reflects a broader trend in creators leveraging VK’s audience to turn engagement into revenue, supported by updates to the platform’s payment infrastructure and affiliate programs.
Analysts noted a strong year for audience generosity as well. Donations from followers to creators increased by 56 percent, underscoring a rising willingness among VK users to financially support creators they enjoy. The VK Donut program, VKontakte’s creator monetization feature, also expanded, with the number of communities participating doubling within the year. The most popular topics among donors included content about family and parenting, creative projects, software and game development, and music trends such as k-pop, indicating diverse interest areas where fans are willing to invest. Collectively, authors earned approximately 780 million rubles through VK Donut over the year, highlighting the potential for sustained revenue beyond ad-based earnings.
Video content continued to capture fans’ attention, with view counts in the VK feed increasing by about 25 percent relative to 2022. The platform also observed a notable shift in user activity with stories being published 27 percent more frequently than in the prior year. These metrics suggest a robust engagement cycle where video and ephemeral content reinforce each other, driving longer watch times and deeper creator-audience interactions.
VKontakte publicly outlined several strategic moves designed to support creators through 2023 and beyond. At the start of the year, the company introduced a new payment account that enables creators to receive money directly, simplifying cash flow and reducing friction in monetization. For more than six months, VK has also provided wage increases aligned with professional income tax expectations to support freelance writers and other creators, signaling recognition of creator labor as a durable revenue stream. In the spring, the affiliate program received updates with revised criteria intended to better reward engaged, thriving communities and to boost the visibility and profitability of creators who build active, sustained audiences. Taken together, these initiatives point to a platform-wide shift toward more transparent, reliable monetization paths that empower individuals to monetize their work on VKontakte without relying solely on external sponsorships or advertisements.
The broader implication for creators is clear: VKontakte is expanding its financial tools and support structures to cultivate a healthier, more predictable income environment for a wide range of creators in Canada, the United States, and beyond who engage with VK’s ecosystem. As users become more comfortable supporting creators directly, the platform’s monetization ecosystem stands to benefit from higher engagement, longer session times, and a more resilient creator economy overall. This evolution reflects VKontakte’s ongoing effort to align with global trends in creator monetization while adapting to regional audience behaviors and regulatory contexts. Overall, 2023 served as a milestone year that showcased how a large social network can scale creator revenue through a combination of direct payments, community-focused monetization features, and thoughtful program updates, reinforcing VKontakte’s position as a viable platform for creators seeking sustainable income from a loyal user base. The published figures and statements originate from VKontakte’s official press communications and were reported by socialbites.ca.