The Twitter logo is seen in this photo illustration in Warsaw, Poland on September 21, 2022. The company will phase out the free blue checkmark starting April 1. STR/BENZINGA
Starting April 1, Elon Musk’s Twitter will remove the traditional blue checkmarks from user accounts as it gradually phases out its long-standing verification program, Twitter Blue.
Musk-owned microblogging site has expanded its subscription program Twitter Blue to worldwide users. Twitter will also begin “winding down” its legacy verified program and “legacy verified checkmarks.”
“Twitter Blue is now available globally! Sign up today to get your blue checkmark, prioritized ranking in conversations, half ads, long Tweets, Bookmark Folders, custom navigation, Edit Tweet, Undo Tweet, and more,” the company said in a statement on Twitter.
Verified accounts that are authentic, notable, and active at no change will not have to sign up for Twitter’s paid subscription model by paying $8 monthly through the web and $11 monthly through Apple Inc. iOS. This includes public figures and institutions in order to main their status. Twitter has the option for customers to pay $84 for the rest of the year. Twitter has not explained further discrepancies.
Accounts looking to maintain their blue check status include a photo and a display name with an account active more than 30 days and a phone number connected more than 90 days.
Since Musk took over the social media giant, the company switched its revenue platform relying less on advertising and more on a software as a service platform.
Various advertisers pulled out Twitter due to tight budgets with the effects from the economic inflation and Musk’s vision for Twitter allowing hate speech that would allow controversial figures back on to the platform. Former President Donald Trump was allowed back on his account, but uses his platform, Truth Social, more often.
Major advertisers that pulled out included Coca-Cola, Unliver, Jeep, Merck, and Wells Fargo. Twitter had over a thousand Fortune 500 companies that had advertised on the platform.
Being verified on Twitter traditionally came with prestige as it enabled other users and followers to know that the account is legitimate.
On Nov. 1, last year, Musk first announced that Twitter Blue would be available to all, but with a price tag.
At the time, he tweeted, “Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bullshit. Power to the people! Blue for $8/month.”
However, the service was soon paused after the platform was flooded with verified trolls who didn’t spare Twitter CEO himself. The platform relaunched the service in December.
Twitter is currently rolling out different badges to identify different organizations as part of the verification process: gold checks for official businesses or corporations, gray for government organizations and officials, an affiliation badge for accounts connected to an organization on Twitter, and a badge for state-run media entities and individuals who are part of those entities.
Produced in association with Benzinga
