Elon Musk Launches $8 Twitter Subscription That Includes Verification, Long-Lasting Video and Audio Posting, and Fewer Ads
After many uncertainties surrounding the redesign of Twitter Blue, Elon Musk presented the company's approach. He said the new paid plan would cost $8 per month - something he mentioned in a response to Stephen King's tweet. Additionally, the price will be adjusted for the country's purchasing power parity, hinting at a global launch of Twitter Blue.
Musk's tweet also indicates that the social network's current verification system is akin to a "lords and peasants" system. His tweet about the new paid plan said he was offering verification to subscribers.
Musk also noted some of the features that will be rolling out with this new plan, including fewer ads, priority in replies (something verified handles go through the "Verified" notification channel) mentions and research, and the ability to post videos longer than the current limit of 2 minutes 20 seconds
Musk tends to change his mind quickly, so we have to take this announcement with a grain of salt. This may not be the last set of features when Twitter rolls out its new subscription plan.
Earlier this week, reports indicated that Musk and Twitter were revamping the verification process, and it could involve fees of up to $20 per month. However, the billionaire seemed to be content with the price of $8 per month for now. Reports also noted that the current set of verified users will lose their blue tick if they don't pay for the new paid plan. Musk did not mention any such metrics in the new Twitter thread about the subscription plan.
Earlier today, TechCrunch announced that Twitter is ending support for ad-free articles offered under its Twitter Blue program. The company has sent an email to participating publisher partners regarding the end of the program.
As Twitter ends payments and partnerships with the current set of publishers, Musk said he will create a new program to bypass paywalls for publishers who want to work with the company. He also mentioned that the revenue stream from subscriptions will help Twitter reward content creators, but didn't elaborate on how.
One crucial detail missing from this thread is the timeline for the rollout of this new paid plan. A CNBC report suggests that Tesla and SpaceX executives have set very aggressive deadlines for the Twitter Blue redesign, with some employees expected to work 12-hour shifts.
Currently, Twitter Blue is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Notably, data from analytics firm Sensor Tower suggests that Twitter's app has only generated $6.4 million in in-app purchases to date, with Blue being the top purchase. Musk & co. hope this new subscription plan works better than that.
After many uncertainties surrounding the redesign of Twitter Blue, Elon Musk presented the company's approach. He said the new paid plan would cost $8 per month - something he mentioned in a response to Stephen King's tweet. Additionally, the price will be adjusted for the country's purchasing power parity, hinting at a global launch of Twitter Blue.
Musk's tweet also indicates that the social network's current verification system is akin to a "lords and peasants" system. His tweet about the new paid plan said he was offering verification to subscribers.
Musk also noted some of the features that will be rolling out with this new plan, including fewer ads, priority in replies (something verified handles go through the "Verified" notification channel) mentions and research, and the ability to post videos longer than the current limit of 2 minutes 20 seconds
Musk tends to change his mind quickly, so we have to take this announcement with a grain of salt. This may not be the last set of features when Twitter rolls out its new subscription plan.
Earlier this week, reports indicated that Musk and Twitter were revamping the verification process, and it could involve fees of up to $20 per month. However, the billionaire seemed to be content with the price of $8 per month for now. Reports also noted that the current set of verified users will lose their blue tick if they don't pay for the new paid plan. Musk did not mention any such metrics in the new Twitter thread about the subscription plan.
Earlier today, TechCrunch announced that Twitter is ending support for ad-free articles offered under its Twitter Blue program. The company has sent an email to participating publisher partners regarding the end of the program.
As Twitter ends payments and partnerships with the current set of publishers, Musk said he will create a new program to bypass paywalls for publishers who want to work with the company. He also mentioned that the revenue stream from subscriptions will help Twitter reward content creators, but didn't elaborate on how.
One crucial detail missing from this thread is the timeline for the rollout of this new paid plan. A CNBC report suggests that Tesla and SpaceX executives have set very aggressive deadlines for the Twitter Blue redesign, with some employees expected to work 12-hour shifts.
Currently, Twitter Blue is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Notably, data from analytics firm Sensor Tower suggests that Twitter's app has only generated $6.4 million in in-app purchases to date, with Blue being the top purchase. Musk & co. hope this new subscription plan works better than that.
What's Your Reaction?
