Twitter Blue is the name of the new service where verified Twitter users have to pay $7.99 month in return for the prestigious blue tick, introduced by billionaire Elon Musk, who has bought the social media network.
What is Twitter Blue?
Twitter Blue is a controversial idea, as many people associate the blue check mark with being a reliable voice of authority, instead of having to pay each month to be seen as a trustworthy or credible source.
The blue tick is currently free if an account matches certain criteria (e.g. the user has to be a high-profile figure, business or voice of authority) but Musk said the paid subscription will be available in select countries after Tuesday’s mid-term elections. The service will then be rolled out across all Twitter users in other countries.
Opponents say the new initiative will reward those with the money to pay for a verified account, rather than trustworthy or authoritative sources.
Musk said on November 5 that Twitter Blue users will “get a lot more than just a blue check mark” for $8 a month.
Twitter verified launches at $8 a month after midterms.
Here is @elonmusk discussing, “You will get a lot more than just a blue checkmark. You will get long form video, long audio, podcasts, prioritized search, replies. We can also start sharing revenue with content creators” pic.twitter.com/wkEtMM5hcX
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) November 7, 2022
“Because now we can afford long form video, long audio, podcasts, prioritized search, replies. We can also start sharing revenue with content creators, which is essential,” he said.
Musk has justified the move as Twitter has failed to turn a profit in eight out of the last 10 years.
After completing the takeover of the company on October 27, Musk is in the process of firing a large number of Twitter’s staff to cut costs. Bloomberg News reported that he was set to cut around 3,700 jobs.
How to Get Twitter Blue With Verification?
A new version of Twitter for iOS was released on November 5 with the new subscription-based model for verification for $7.99 per month.
However, the feature is not yet available everywhere. Twitter Blue with verification is currently available on iOS in Australia, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand and in the U.S., a press release from Twitter said.
Anyone can get Twitter Blue if they can afford it and want to pay the monthly subscription fee. To get verified, you no longer need to be a celebrity, well-known official authority, politician or journalist.
How Many Blue Tick Accounts Are There on Twitter?
The first blue tick was created after a lawsuit was brought against Twitter in 2009, when the social media network faced a case for defamation for a Twitter account impersonating them.
In 2021, there were estimated to be around 400,000 verified accounts on Twitter with the blue check mark.
What Happens to Blue Tick Accounts If They Don’t Pay $8?
Those with blue tick accounts will lose their verification if they refuse to pay the $7.99 subscription fee.
Previously verified users who don’t want to pay the fee can still use Twitter, but without the blue tick on their account and the benefits that come with it.
Newsweek has contacted Twitter for comment.
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