Elon Musk has decided to bring back blue checks for prominent X users with large followings, after previously removing them and offering them only to paying subscribers. This change comes after Musk announced that users with over 2500 verified subscriber followers would receive Premium features for free, while those with over 5000 would receive Premium+ for free. This reversal is a shift from Musk’s initial decision to end the existing verification system and monetize it as a new revenue stream for Twitter.
Despite Musk’s attempt to introduce a paid blue check system, it seems as though the business model may not have been successful. Historically, getting internet users to pay for a service or feature that was previously free can be challenging. Additionally, the value of the blue check may have been undermined by the changes made by Musk, making it less appealing for users to pay for verification. Former Twitter executive Jason Goldman believes that Musk may still not fully understand the value of the blue check, which was originally meant to verify a user’s identity.
Musk’s decision to revoke legacy blue checks caused backlash and frustration among prominent users, with some high-profile accounts being impersonated and misinformation spreading. The blue check lost its exclusivity and status symbol as anyone could buy one, leading to a lack of differentiation between users. Despite offering additional benefits such as post elevation and access to AI services through X Premium, some users have criticized the platform for allowing scam and troll accounts to manipulate the system for visibility.
Many users have expressed a lack of interest in obtaining a blue check, even if it is offered for free. Some have actively tried to hide the blue check from their profiles, indicating a shift in perception towards what was once considered a coveted status symbol. While Musk may have a large following of users who are willing to pay for additional features, it may not be enough to sustain the platform’s operational costs in the long term. Overall, the return of the free blue check marks a shift in Musk’s approach to monetizing Twitter and understanding the value of verification on the platform.
