How to end a campaign (and what happens to unspent budget)
You can end a funded campaign whenever you want. Ending is fair to both sides: creators who already posted get a final window to finish earning, and whatever they don't earn comes back to you.
End vs delete
Draft campaigns that were never funded can be deleted — they disappear completely. Once a campaign has been funded it can be ended, not deleted: it stays visible with an Ended badge so its results and history are never lost.
What happens when you end a campaign
- 1
New submissions stop instantly
The moment you confirm, creators can no longer join or submit — the campaign leaves Discover.
- 2
Existing clips finish counting
Clips that are already approved keep earning from views for up to 7 days while their counts finalise. Submissions waiting on review can still be reviewed during this window.
- 3
The campaign closes
When everything is finalised the campaign shows as Ended. If nothing was still counting when you ended it, this happens immediately — no waiting.
- 4
Unspent budget goes to your wallet
Whatever creators didn't earn is returned to your Shoot wallet automatically. Use it to fund another campaign instantly, or contact support to withdraw it.
Changed your mind?
During the 7-day window you can resume the campaign at any time — it goes straight back live and nothing is lost.
Ending a popular campaign doesn't cancel what creators have already earned — their clips keep earning through the final window. The wallet receives whatever is left after that.
Frequently asked
Why can't I delete a funded campaign?+
Money moved through it — creators earned from it and records need to stay auditable. Ending keeps the history while returning the unspent budget to you.
How long until I get the unspent budget back?+
Instantly if nothing was still counting views when you ended it. Otherwise up to 7 days, while existing clips finish their final counting window.
Do I get the platform fee back?+
No — the 7% platform fee on deposits is Shoot's fee and isn't returned. Everything creators didn't earn from the budget itself is.
What happens to submissions I never reviewed?+
They can still be reviewed during the 7-day window. Anything left unreviewed when the campaign closes is automatically declined and costs nothing.
Related articles
The brand wallet: deposits, returned budgets, and withdrawals
Your Shoot wallet holds money you deposit plus unspent budget returned from ended campaigns. Fund campaigns from it instantly with no extra fee; withdrawals go through support back to your original payment method.
How campaign funding and escrow works
Brands fund a campaign's budget up front and those funds are held until creators' approved work clears. Approved creators are paid automatically, and unspent budget is never charged.
How to launch a campaign (for brands)
Build a campaign in the wizard — basics, budget, platforms & pay, content rules, access & proof — then fund it. Creators post clips, you approve them from a real-time queue, and you pay only for approved performance.
Didn't answer your question?
Reach a human — we're happy to help.
Last updated 2026-07-22