New X (Twitter) users will now have to pay $1
When Twitter launched, it was a free social media service. The platform, now known as X thanks to re-branding from Elon Musk, appears to be moving away from that model. It was recently announced that new users are going to have to pay a single dollar for annual access. If users want to have the ability to retweet content they find on the site or to write their own tweets, then they will have to pay this annual fee.
This is a bit of a surprising move, as most social media sites still operate for free and some users claim they wouldn’t pay to use these platforms. But Elon Musk says that Twitter has a problem with bots. By requiring a $1 payment for new users, he believes that it will help to prevent fake accounts. His interest in bots on Twitter goes all the way back to when he initially offered to buy the platform, when he claimed that there were so many bots that it would dilute the platform’s value.
What about existing X users?
Interestingly, existing users are not going to have to pay the annual dollar. Musk likely wants to avoid this because he knows that it could cause a mass exodus among those who staunchly refuse to pay anything to be able to use X. Additionally, since he’s focused on stopping new bots from joining the site, it does make sense to aim this program at new accounts.
Is it in place yet?
No, it’s not being used in most of the world at this point. There is a test program running in the Philippines and in New Zealand. It is unclear when this may spread to the rest of the world.
People can still read X for free
Access to Twitter won’t cost any money if someone doesn’t want the ability to write. They can still read for free, as Musk himself wrote on X.
But it will be intriguing to see how long this lasts and if it changes. Will everyone eventually have to pay a dollar? Is charging a dollar just a way to get people used to paying for the service so that Musk can then increase the annual cost in the future? Are people going to leave Twitter – X – over this fundamental change to the business model? After all, many users signed up years ago, thinking they would never have to pay.
All these questions are very important for those who use Twitter for their business, who run social media ads, and who connect with their audience through these platforms and apps. Here at Content Customs, we can help you and your company navigate a constantly changing social media world to put you in the optimal position for sustained success. Call today to learn more about what we do.
