The new owner of Twitter, Elon Musk, is already implementing the announced obligation to pay for “real” profiles. The new verified service is launching in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Twitter updated its app on Saturday. Now that coveted white checkmark on a blue verification badge costs eight dollars a month. Until now, the symbols guaranteeing the authenticity of the Twitter profile were awarded free of charge.
Will be launched worldwide
The new verified service is initially rolling out in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. “Once we know this is working well in the first countries and we’ve completed the translation work, it will roll out globally,” Musk tweeted.
In particular, the accounts of celebrities, companies and users with large followings, such as politicians or journalists, were marked with the symbol of authenticity. In its update for Apple devices, Twitter said anyone who signs up for the new service “now” will receive the checkmark next to their username, “just like the celebrities, businesses and politicians that you are already following”.
Other benefits of the update include “half the ads”, the ability to post longer videos on Twitter, and better placement for high-quality content.
This is Elon Musk’s first major overhaul of the social media platform since taking over Twitter.
Possible income is unclear
How much Twitter can earn with the paid membership is unclear. According to the latest data from the end of June, Twitter had nearly 238 million daily active users. On that basis, that would be about an additional $1.9 billion per month if each of them paid for verification, which is unrealistic.
Twitter made nearly $1.2 billion in revenue with its previous business in the second quarter. After Musk’s acquisition, the company no longer has to release financial numbers.
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