Well, I can’t say that I didn’t see this happening. Note the sarcasm. Twitter (X) now gives blue checks to users with a large following (over 2,500 X Premium subscribers). This effectively makes verification a recognition of active and influential users, returning to the original purpose of blue checks. However, some users receiving the free verification are emphasizing they didn’t buy it, distancing themselves from the paid verification system.
Going forward, all 𝕏 accounts with over 2500 verified subscriber followers will get Premium features for free and accounts with over 5000 will get Premium+ for free
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2024Remember when Twitter’s blue check meant someone was a verified public figure? (sheesh)
In the past, Twitter’s blue check verified the legitimacy of influential accounts. Sounds strange now with paid verification, right? But back in 2022, when X was still Twitter, the platform boasted real advertisers, not just dropshipping promos. Back then, blue checks helped users identify public figures like celebrities, influencers, and journalists. This also aided in combating misinformation.
While Elon Musk’s changes aim to restore the blue check’s original purpose of identifying influential users, differentiating between a “real” blue check and someone simply seeking attention remains challenging. Hopefully, this choice to reverse is a good sign of other things to come. One thing’s for sure: I’m glad I didn’t have to shell out $8 a month.
