What if I told you that many people are getting paid every single month just for posting online, and Nope! Not all of them are influencers? So I took it upon myself to test 3 of the best social media apps for a few months, and they paid me a few extra bucks. This article will guide you on the steps I took and how I leveraged AI to get this far.
The truth is, you don’t need to be famous or have a huge following, and I am a testament to that: after my tracking results, I found real earnings. Even though it’s a small payout, it is a clear path that beginners can follow by staying consistent and following the rules.
Social Media Earnings Are Not Only Limited To Influencers
Before you think social media money is only for influencers, brand deals, or accounts with huge followings, take inspiration from the test below, which offers a different angle. The truth is that Social platforms want users to stay on their apps longer, so they reward creators who hold attention and drive views.
Disclaimer:
Sure, you can make money with social media, but there’s no magic formula. It really comes down to how much effort you put in, how well you get the hang of each platform, and whether you play by their rules. What I’m sharing in this video comes straight from my own experience and research. Your journey might look different.
3 Best Social Media Apps To Earn Money Online in 2026
App #1: Telegram
In my recent discovery, Telegram stood out because I generated strong earnings with a small audience. When you check my Telegram channel, you can see I have only 1,231 subscribers and an earnings balance of 21.8 TONs, which is equivalent to $21.40, plus extra Telegram Stars, which are gifts from people who liked my posts.
This shows there are two ways to earn on Telegram:
- Monetisation tied to channel performance (including impressions and revenue metrics)
- Direct audience support through Stars
How To Create a Telegram Channel (step-by-step)
Getting started on Telegram is simple:
- Tap the pen tool.
- Select New Channel.
- Add a name and description, then tap the check mark to create it.
- Set the channel to public (Telegram won’t monetise private channels).
- Create a public link for the channel.
- Add at least one person.
Once you finish these steps, your channel is live. The real work starts after that, since you need an audience to earn money.
Telegram Monetisation Requirement
To monetise a Telegram channel, you need at least 1,000 subscribers, and the simplest way to get them is to invite friends and promote the channel on other social platforms. This gives your channel an initial boost, especially if you already post on other apps.
Aside from that, content does the heavy lifting, because my channel, for example, focuses on cybersecurity awareness and digital safety. And I use tools like ChatGPT to understand online threats and protect data more effectively.
This is a good approach for Telegram. People join channels to get updates they can’t find in a crowded feed. If your posts help them or keep them informed, they’ll want to stay.
Telegram rules that can block monetisation
Telegram does pay, but it can also remove monetisation if you break their policies, so avoid posting:
- Fraudulent content
- Aldut content or
- Anything that goes against Telegram policies
The same rule applies to all platforms. If your content is risky or looks
App #2: Facebook
Facebook was the second social media app I tested. The payouts were smaller, but after testing it, it shows some progress and what it usually rewards.
Where the Facebook earnings came from
Facebook “hasn’t been my thing,” but after posting regularly, I made “a few cents,” and you can see that in my earnings dashboard.
The earnings she mentioned came from posting a mix of formats, including:
- photos
- stories
- videos
- Reels
- text posts
The main rule for making the most of Facebook is to post original content and follow Facebook’s guidelines. Facebook pays based on impressions and values originality.
How AI fits on Facebook without hurting performance
AI played a practical role here in my Facebook earning journey. On Facebook, if your AI-enhanced content is original, edited, and adds value, it’s generally well-received, in contrast to YouTube’s current rules on AI disclosure requirements.
Also, copying or reposting someone else’s work without changes is against Facebook’s monetization rules, especially if your page is solely for content monetization.
As you can see, this Facebook page uses AI to tell short “educational stories,” and they are getting lots of views. More views mean more engagement and revenue.
However, the key takeaway is to learn from this: don’t copy his style, but check the pattern: sisn’t interesting content that keeps people watching.
App #3: TikTok
In the whole of 2025, I made almost $2000 from a few TikTok videos, and I am not referring to the Creator Rewards Program or Live gifts.
How I Earn Money from TikTok
Now, what I did was to look for affiliate marketing platforms like SEO writing AI, Barterfunds, and others, then make a marketing video explaining how each platform works, with my affiliate links in my bio.
I have even seen small accounts do the same, making money by posting simple, relatable TikTok videos.
What to expect if you’re posting from Ghana
As it stands right now, there is no direct monetisation like ad revenue on YouTube and Facebook in Ghana, and unless, of course, you are dependent on Brand deals and Live gifts, which require a lot of following and people who really engage with your videos.
However, the key to TikTok earnings success is consistency and posting educational content that people will enjoy watching.
You can also read: How I generated over 1,000 cedis in Ghana with my Titok account.
Which platform is best for beginners?
Now, out of the three apps I tested, the most effective method for beginners right now is:
Create and share informative content on Telegram, or create short-form video content that solves problems, because you can monetise it on multiple platforms, and get faster monetisation.
However, a single well-crafted piece of content can be posted to TikTok, Telegram, and Facebook Reels at once.
If you’re looking for the best social media apps to help you earn from posting, this comparison makes the differences clear. Telegram is the easiest path: build a channel, reach 1,000 subscribers, and monetise.
TikTok, on the other hand, pays, but it depends solely on the strategy and the approach. At the same time, Facebook does reward original content and usually grows more slowly.
Simple advice that keeps you posting long enough to get paid
Regina ended with practical reminders that apply across all three apps:
- Don’t chase perfection.
- Focus on consistency.
- Post what’s working for others.
- And lastly, give the algorithm time.
This mindset is what successful creators are hiding from those who give up too soon. Your first post won’t be perfect, and your early views might be low. However, if you keep posting content that people enjoy, your numbers can grow.
Conclusion
After weeks of testing, what are some of the best social media apps in 2026 for making money online? You can clearly see that posting with a plan can lead to genuine earnings, without a massive following. In my opinion, Telegram can be the best option for beginners: choose one approach, post what people like, and give it time to grow. Have you tried earning from any of these platforms? Let me have your views in the comments.
