Twitter to Remove Verified Status for Accounts That Don’t Pay by April
According to numerous reports, Twitter will begin revoking “legacy” verified badges next month to generate new revenue streams.
The social media platform introduced its verification process to help users distinguish legitimate accounts from fake or impersonated ones.
The verified badge, a blue tick, is an honor reserved for accounts Twitter deems authentic, trustworthy, and noteworthy.
However, as the platform has grown, so has the desire to obtain that coveted blue tick. Unfortunately, some users are now gaming the system, using illegitimate methods to gain verification.
Before being taken over by Elon Musk last year, the platform’s blue checkmark verification system was only available to public figures such as celebrities, politicians, and companies.
On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks. To keep your blue checkmark on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOpLp
Organizations can sign up for https://t.co/RlN5BbuGA3…
— Twitter Verified (@verified) March 23, 2023
Less than 450,000 verified accounts were in circulation, which helped users identify notable and genuine accounts. Twitter did not charge for this service.
Elon Musk has criticized the blue-check verification system as “corrupt” and implemented changes to make it accessible to those willing to pay.
His company launched Twitter Blue, a premium subscription service that offers the verified badge as one of its perks.
As of April 1, 2023, the social media platform will revoke the verified status of verified accounts before Musk’s takeover unless they subscribe to Twitter Blue or the business-focused Twitter Verified Organizations.
All the Buzz about Twitter’s Blue Checkmark
Twitter’s verified status has become a sought-after symbol of legitimacy, but it’s not just a vanity metric.
Verification status can give users access to exclusive features, such as a higher ranking in search results and the ability to filter notifications.
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This status is also essential for influencers and public figures who rely on the platform for their livelihoods.
In the United States, the web subscription for Twitter Blue costs $8 per month, while in-app payments on iOS and Android devices cost $11 per month. Only Twitter Blue subscribers will be eligible for verified badges from now on.
The company has stated that companies and brands can obtain a gold checkmark by subscribing to Twitter Verified Organizations, which costs $1,000 monthly.
At the same time, government accounts can receive a gray checkmark under the new system.
The platform’s verification system has come under fire recently because some users abuse it. Some users have been buying verification services, which is against its terms of service.
This practice is unethical and undermines the credibility of Twitter’s verification process. It makes it harder for users to trust the verified badge, ultimately devaluing it.
Twitter’s verification process was essential for establishing trust and credibility on the platform.
But, with the current state of affairs, it’s time for Twitter to take action. The impact of removing legacy verified badges on the platform remains to be determined.
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Yet, critics argue that making a verified badge available only through payment will result in a class system on Twitter.
Despite being a private company, Twitter can charge for any of its services. In addition, the social media platform is actively searching for new revenue sources.
According to reports, Musk has indicated that the company must derive around half its revenue from subscription services to endure a potential downturn.
