The first big new Twitter feature under Elon Musk could cost you.
Twitter to charge $8 a month for verification. What you need to know.
The company wants to charge users to get verified and display the signature blue check mark next to their account name. It’s something Twitter has offered to some accounts for free in the past, with mixed success.
On Tuesday, Elon Musk tweeted confirmation that he would offer a combination of verification and the company’s paid Twitter Blue service for $8 a month. Twitter was considering charging as much as $20 a month for the privilege of having the blue check, according to a person familiar with the issue who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. Twitter’s existing paid version, called Twitter Blue, would be combined with the verification process, and some of its existing features may be cut, according to the person.
Musk tweeted the new subscription would include the ability to have priority in replies, mentions and search results, as well as fewer ads, the ability to share longer video and audio posts, and a way to read articles behind a paywall for free.
Over the weekend, Jason Calacanis, a longtime Musk associate who has been brought in to help run Twitter, posted a poll asking how much people would be willing to pay for the honor. The vast majority voted “wouldn’t pay.” Late Monday, Elon Musk argued on Twitter with Steven King after the outraged author said the site should pay him instead.
“We need to pay the bills somehow! Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?” replied Musk.
Whether you use Twitter or not, the change could have broader implications for everything from misinformation to elections. Here’s what you need to know.
Source: WP
