Can Facebook creators monetize using old videos?

Yes — Facebook creators can monetize old videos, but only if the Page is monetization-eligible and the videos meet Meta’s content quality, originality, and ad placement rules.

This guide explains how old videos earn money, what limitations apply, and how to optimize older content so Facebook’s algorithm continues to recommend it.

📌 Can old videos still earn money on Facebook?

Yes. Facebook allows creators to earn from older content as long as the video meets monetization standards. Age does not limit earning potential — some creators earn from videos posted months or even years ago, especially evergreen content.

Facebook’s distribution depends on performance, not upload date. If an older video suddenly gains new engagement or gets recommended again, ads can start (or restart) serving on it.

🧩 Requirements old videos must meet to be monetized

Even though videos are old, they must still pass Facebook’s monetization criteria:

The Page must remain eligible under Partner Monetization Policies (PMP).
The content must comply with Content Monetization Policies (CMP).
The video must be original or transformative.
The video must be advertiser-friendly.
For In-Stream Ads, the video must be at least 1 minute (Reels) or 3 minutes (long form).

If the video is still eligible, Facebook can insert ads whenever the algorithm pushes it to new viewers.

📺 Do old videos earn the same as new videos?

Not always. Older videos can earn money, but the amount depends on:

their current engagement level
audience retention in the first 10 seconds
the number of active viewers in monetizable regions
how often Facebook recommends the video
your Page’s overall monetization health

A video from 2022 can still earn in 2025 — but only if people are still watching it.

🔧 What about videos uploaded before your Page was monetized?

If your Page becomes monetized today, Facebook allows you to turn on monetization for old videos from the past — as long as the videos pass review.

When you activate monetization:

eligible videos will get ads
non-eligible videos will be flagged under “limited or no monetization”
videos needing review will go into “in review” status

Many creators have hundreds of older videos that start earning the moment they enable monetization.

⏳ Does video age affect distribution?

Yes — but not in the way people think.

Facebook does not “limit” older content. Instead, it recommends content with the highest engagement signals at the moment. If an old video begins trending again, Facebook will push it.

This is especially common with:

evergreen educational videos
how-to tutorials
motivational content
viral clips
storytelling videos

Many creators report late spikes — months or years after upload.

🔒 What about old videos that used copyrighted clips?

Old videos containing copyrighted or non-transformative content may lose monetization even if they earned money in the past. Meta constantly updates its detection systems.

You may see these warnings:

“Limited or no monetization”
“Reused content detected”
“Copyrighted audio detected”
“Shared IP: Limited ads”

Facebook can retroactively limit or remove ads on older videos if they break updated content rules.

💡 Why Facebook still recommends old videos

Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes videos that spark interest and keep people watching. Age is irrelevant — what matters is engagement. If your older video consistently holds viewers, the algorithm treats it as “active content.”

🎥 Can you re-upload old videos for better monetization?

Yes, but with caution.

Re-uploading your own old video is allowed only if the content is meaningfully improved — such as:

adding new narration
upgrading the editing
re-filming missing parts
changing the structure or visuals

Reposting the exact same video counts as “reused content,” especially if Facebook detects the original on your Page.

📌 Best performing old videos for monetization

These types of videos historically earn well long after upload:

evergreen educational content
topical explanations that remain relevant
long-form storytelling
motivational videos
DIY or tutorials
viral reactions with strong retention

Evergreen content can generate revenue for months or years without additional work.

🛠️ How to optimize older videos for higher earnings

If your older videos are still getting views but earning little, you can increase their performance by making small but powerful updates. Facebook treats updated videos as refreshed content without penalizing the upload date.

Update the title and description. Add clearer keywords, improve SEO, and make the title more engaging.
Add captions. Captions increase retention dramatically — especially for viewers watching with sound off.
Improve the thumbnail. A new thumbnail can revive an old video by boosting click-through rate (CTR).
Enable all available ad placements. Some older videos don’t have mid-rolls activated. Turning these on increases revenue instantly.
Pin the video to the top of your Page. This can restart engagement and signal the algorithm to re-test distribution.
Share the video again. Re-sharing an older video through Stories, Groups, or your Page timeline boosts activity without re-uploading.

Many creators assume old videos die, but strategic optimization can revive them for months of continued monetization.

📊 Why old videos sometimes earn better than new ones

Old videos often outperform new ones because they have accumulated trust signals:

strong historical retention
consistent watch time from global regions
positive viewer interactions
established comment activity
likes and shares from previous months

Facebook’s algorithm sees these signals as proof that the video is “safe” and “enjoyable,” leading to a higher chance of renewed distribution.

🎯 Best practices for turning old videos into recurring revenue

To consistently earn from older content, follow these practices:

Focus on evergreen topics. Short-lived trends rarely earn long-term revenue.
Ensure proper metadata. Keywords help Facebook understand the topic and audience.
Use consistent branding. Facebook rewards Pages with recognizable structure.
Re-share during high-engagement hours. Even old videos spike during peak times.
Remove copyrighted audio. Replace with Facebook’s Sound Collection if needed.

These improvements help older content maintain relevance and deliver stable earnings over time.

🧠 How Facebook reviews old videos with new monetization rules

Meta regularly updates its monetization policies, and older videos may be reviewed with newer standards. This is why a video that earned in 2023 may get limited ads in 2025.

Facebook checks older videos for:

copyright compliance
use of watermarked clips
misleading or harmful content
AI-generated material with low originality
text-to-speech content quality

If the video passes all checks, monetization remains fully active.

🩺 Troubleshooting: Why some old videos don’t earn

If you are not earning from old videos despite having monetization enabled, one of these issues may be the cause:

Low distribution — the video simply isn’t reaching enough viewers.
Low CPM regions — most viewers are from low-paying countries.
Weak retention — ads cannot be served if viewers drop off early.
Policy limits — reused content, limited ads, or copyright flags.
Ad inventory issues — temporarily low ad demand.

Old videos are only as profitable as their current performance.

📚 Case Study — “Evergreen video revived after 9 months”

A niche creator had a tutorial video that earned modest revenue at first but slowed over time. After updating the title, changing the thumbnail, and adding captions:

CTR increased by 41%
Retention improved in the first 10 seconds
Facebook recommended the video again
Revenue increased for six consecutive weeks

The creator earned more in those six weeks than the previous nine months combined — all without re-uploading the video.

🔮 Will old videos continue earning in the future?

Yes. As long as the algorithm continues pushing the video and the content remains compliant, old videos can serve ads indefinitely. Meta has no expiration date for monetized videos.

The real key is ensuring your Page stays eligible and your content aligns with future policy updates.

🎯 Final answer — Can creators monetize old videos?

Absolutely. Old videos can deliver consistent revenue when optimized properly and kept compliant. Whether posted weeks or years ago, a genuinely engaging video can always be rediscovered by the algorithm — and when it does, monetization follows.

Disclaimer

This guide explains how Meta handles monetization for older videos based on documented creator experiences, Meta’s public policies, and current platform behavior. Meta may update rules at any time.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or financial advice. Always check your Professional Dashboard for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

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