In a significant policy reversal, X (formerly Twitter) has announced that users with large followings will now be eligible for a complimentary subscription, along with the iconic blue verification checkmark.
The unexpected reintroduction of complimentary blue ticks on X created significant confusion on the social media platform owned by Elon Musk.
Read more: Elon Musk kicks off mass Twitter layoffs
Traditionally, Twitter’s blue ticks functioned as verification badges commonly seen on social media platforms, typically awarded to celebrities, politicians, and other influential individuals. However, this practice changed a few months after Musk acquired the platform for a staggering $44 billion in October 2022.
Last year, X implemented a new policy where verification checks were exclusively granted to users who paid a monthly fee starting at $8. Consequently, many celebrities and prominent figures had their verification badges revoked, leading to widespread confusion, complaints, and the proliferation of numerous fake accounts impersonating verified individuals.
Nevertheless, multiple users reported lately that blue verification ticks had reappeared on their accounts or had appeared for the first time, despite not subscribing to X’s “premium” services. According to a message from the platform, individuals were granted free subscriptions because they were recognized as “influential members” of X.
Going forward, all 𝕏 accounts with over 2500 verified subscriber followers will get Premium features for free and accounts with over 5000 will get Premium+ for free
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024
In a recent announcement, Musk stated that all X accounts with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers would receive Premium features, including the checkmark, free of charge from that point forward. Furthermore, accounts with over 5,000 verified follower subscribers would be granted Premium+ access for free.
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