X Platform Grants Complimentary Blue Verification Badges to Its Top Users
X, formerly known as Twitter, has initiated a significant policy shift by granting blue ticks to its most “influential” users. This move marks a departure from the previous paid-for model, as individuals with over 2,500 verified followers, already enrolled in X Premium, are now receiving premium features at no additional cost. Alongside the coveted blue tick, these users will experience a reduction in the frequency of advertisements displayed on X.
Moreover, X announced its efforts to eliminate bots from the platform, resulting in potential reductions in follower counts for some users. Initially introduced as a means of verifying users’ identities, blue ticks transitioned into a paid-for feature following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform.
However, recent communications received by select users reveal that blue ticks are now being distributed without charge to those deemed “influential members of the community.” Premium users are also entitled to benefits such as elevated tweet rankings when responding to others and the option to participate in revenue sharing from platform advertisements.
Furthermore, individuals boasting over 5,000 verified followers are granted complimentary access to Premium+, a tier that significantly reduces ad exposure and further elevates tweet rankings in reply threads. This development follows Elon Musk’s announcement of the feature in late March.
Prior to Musk’s ownership, blue ticks were freely awarded by the platform as a means of verification to curb the proliferation of fake accounts and misinformation. Initially regarded as a symbol of authenticity, blue ticks were exclusively bestowed upon select individuals, including celebrities, government officials, and journalists.
Musk’s dissatisfaction with this arrangement, which he derided as fostering a divide between “lords and peasants,” prompted a shift in the blue tick’s significance. Under his leadership, the blue tick became synonymous with subscription to X Premium, now rebranded as Twitter Blue, with verification tied to this subscription.
However, the recent policy revision amalgamates both models, defining prominence based on an individual’s following by a sufficient number of fellow verified users. This adjustment underscores X’s evolving approach to user verification and its ongoing efforts to redefine the platform’s dynamics.
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