SBA Issues Historic Guidance to Recognize America’s Content Creator Economy

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the first federal small-business classification guidance specifically recognizing qualifying content creators within the SBA's lending and contracting framework. Following SBA's recent small business size standards proposal, the agency clarified that the nation's 27 million creator-led businesses are classified under NAICS 5121 - Motion Picture and Video Industries - for purposes of SBA program eligibility. The clarification reflects the robust growth and evolving business models of America's creator economy.

"American's creators are entrepreneurs who build businesses from original ideas, unique audiences, and content into thriving small businesses that create jobs," said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. "For the first time, the SBA is recognizing these enterprising content creators within our small-business framework. This historic guidance cuts through outdated classifications and gives qualifying creators greater clarity as they build businesses, create jobs, and compete and build for the future."

"Content creators are small businesses, and always have been," said Daniel Abas, Founder and President of the Creators Guild of America. "Thanks to the vision of the SBA and its leadership, the federal government has unequivocally affirmed this status, and millions of creators stand to benefit. We look forward to our members taking full advantage of the access to capital that the SBA's guidance provides, and are proud that the professional infrastructure established by the CGA has contributed to this outcome. Committed creators like Shira Lazar, founder of Creators 4 Mental Health and a member of our Advisory Board, and Avi Gandhi, CGA's Chair of Government Advocacy, played instrumental roles in advancing this effort. This breakthrough is both a testament to their hard work, and a major step forward in the CGA's mission to help creators."

"With more than 8.5 million American small businesses on TikTok U.S., millions of people turn to our platform every day to discover new experiences, support local favorites, and connect with thriving entrepreneurs, said Nicole Nason, Head of Public Policy at TikTok U.S. "This historic guidance places the SBA at the forefront of the creator economy and establishes clear pathways for modern entrepreneurs to expand their reach, create jobs, and fuel local economies."

Content creator businesses have long been eligible for SBA support when they meet applicable program requirements, but creators previously lacked clear guidance on the NAICS code that best reflects their integrated business models. Because today's creators often produce, edit, distribute, market, and monetize original audiovisual content across multiple platforms and revenue streams, SBA is providing clearer guidance to help them identify the industry group most appropriate for SBA program-eligibility purposes.

The SBA's proposed size standards adopt revisions to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to simplify the size standards for related motion-picture, video-production, post-production, and distribution activities under NAICS 5121 - Motion Picture and Video Industries. Creator-led businesses whose principal activity falls within this umbrella-including filmmakers, video producers, podcasters, streamers, gamers, digital publishers, social-media entrepreneurs, creative agencies, and other businesses that produce and distribute original audiovisual content-should begin with NAICS 5121 and identify the applicable six-digit NAICS code within that industry group that best matches their primary business activity.

The SBA also received comments on its proposed size standards rule requesting the issuance of an industry exception for content creators, which would permanently house creator-led businesses. The agency will consider those comments, along with all public feedback submitted on the proposed rule, after the public comment period closes on November 20th.

The SBA is helping qualifying creator-led businesses determine their small-business status and navigate opportunities for SBA-backed financing and other agency resources. The action advances the Trump Administration's commitment to reducing unnecessary regulatory complexity, modernizing government, and ensuring federal programs reflect the evolving needs of America's entrepreneurs.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

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