Twitter, now rebranded as X, is undergoing significant changes under the direction of Elon Musk. The platform is preparing to implement charges for new users who engage with its services. Basic functions such as liking, posting, replying, and bookmarking tweets will require a nominal yearly fee. This transformation is outlined in updates to the website’s text, reflecting the necessity for users to pay for access to the social network.
This payment model was piloted in New Zealand and the Philippines as part of efforts to combat spam and improve user experience. Musk emphasized the importance of this fee in addressing the growing issue of bots and fake accounts. He noted that conventional bot detection methods like CAPTCHAs are easily circumvented by these inauthentic accounts. Furthermore, Musk highlighted how such bots occupy valuable username space, limiting the availability of desired handles.
Despite the potential benefits, Musk acknowledged the drawbacks of this approach. There is a concern that spammers may simply pay the fee to continue their activities, undermining the intended purpose of the charges. Additionally, there is a risk that new users may be deterred by the prospect of paying for access, potentially opting for free alternatives instead. The estimated fee is currently around $1, based on its price of $1.75 in New Zealand currency during the trial period.
This decision reflects Musk’s broader concerns about user metrics and the influence of bots on X’s advertising model. He has previously criticized inflated user counts resulting from bot activity, arguing that they mislead advertisers and investors about the platform’s true engagement levels.
It’s worth noting that Musk has previously introduced ‘paid’ verified blue checkmarks on X, a feature later adopted by Instagram at a similar price point. It’s possible that Instagram may follow suit with this new payment policy in the future.
Overall, these changes represent a significant shift in X’s approach to user engagement and revenue generation. By introducing charges for basic functions, the platform aims to address issues of spam and fake accounts while also potentially altering the dynamics of its user base and advertising ecosystem.