After the introduction of X Premium, which was previously known to users as Twitter Blue, the re-branded microblogging social network is reportedly bringing another change to the table, and that is charging existing users $1 just to take advantage of basic features such as posting. It appears that Elon Musk is attempting to do everything in his power to ensure that X becomes a cash-positive entity, even if it means forcing users to pay a negligible sum yearly.
The new changes will officially put X behind a paywall, with Musk’s desire to make the platform free of bots
A new report published on Fortune states users will be charged $1 just to use X daily. This includes posting, replying to others, quoting, reposting, bookmarking, creating lists, and more. This would effectively make X the first social network in history to force users to pay while also displaying ads, giving a whole new meaning to the term paywall. Though a $1 annual fee is practically nothing to the millions who wish to use the platform, some might term it a greedy decision to make X into a profitable entity.
Details of this report mention that the idea came from Elon Musk, who has expressed his desire to charge everyone to use the social network but also envisions a platform that would be bot-free, and the only way to do that is to start charging users. Ever since X, formerly known as Twitter, was acquired by Musk, a myriad of changes have been introduced.
First, we saw that a subscription was required to unlock certain features, such as editing and publishing longer posts. Shortly after, those who were using X would be limited to how many posts they could see on their timeline. The current X Premium subscription costs $8 monthly or $84 yearly, but there is the possibility of an even more expensive tier being introduced in the future that will eliminate ads from the viewing experience.
At the time of writing, X also put out a post on its official website, mentioning that starting today, users will be charged a ‘$1 USD Annual Fee,’ and ‘new users will be able to perform certain actions on the web version of the platform: post content, Like posts, Reply, Repost and Quote other accounts’ posts, Bookmark posts.’ While the decision might not appease many, Musk has a goal in mind that he intends to achieve with X, regardless of the cost.
News Source: Fortune
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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