Twitter, now rebranded as X, will soon implement charges for new users engaging with the platform, according to Elon Musk. This shift will affect fundamental actions such as liking, posting, replying, and bookmarking tweets. Musk cited the necessity of this fee to combat the escalating issue of bots and fake accounts, which traditional bot detection methods struggle to address effectively.
The payment model, initially trialled in New Zealand and the Philippines, aims to tackle spam and enhance the user experience. Musk acknowledged potential drawbacks, including the risk that spammers may simply pay the fee to continue their activities and the potential deterrence for new users favouring free alternatives. The fee is estimated to be approximately $1, based on its equivalent value in New Zealand currency.
This decision aligns with Musk’s broader concerns about the accuracy of user metrics on X and the adverse impact of bots on the platform’s advertising model. He has previously criticised inflated user counts due to bots, arguing that they mislead advertisers and investors about the platform’s true engagement levels.
Previously, Musk introduced ‘paid’ verified blue checkmarks on X, later adopted by Instagram at a similar price range, suggesting a potential future adaptation of this policy by other platforms.
