X Introduces Annual Fee for Basic Features – Here’s What You Need to Know
Since Elon Musk assumed control of X (previously known as Twitter), the platform has experienced numerous transformations. With the aim of transforming it into a powerful application capable of rivaling China’s WeChat, the microblogging platform has incorporated various new features and undergone a complete rebranding, resulting in the replacement of Larry the Bird with an X. However, not all users are pleased with the extensive changes being implemented on the platform, with some criticizing them as overly strict. Most recently, it was revealed that X would introduce a three-tier subscription model for its X Premium service.
Now, a new report has added fuel to the fire by revealing that X can charge users for basic features and has already started testing the same in two countries. Let’s see.
X charges users?
According to a report by Fortune (via 9to5Mac ), the microblogging platform charges users $1 per year just to use its basic features. These reportedly include new posts, likes, reposts, quotes, bookmarks, lists, and even replies to other users. Although X is ad-based, it has lost a lot of revenue due to the war, Elon Musk recently revealed. Responding to a user’s post about X’s payouts being reduced, Musk revealed that revenue “drops massively during a war.”
The official X support page revealed that it is testing a new “Not a Bot” program in New Zealand and the Philippines, which would require new and unverified accounts to pay a $1 annual fee to “post and interact with other messages.” This change does not affect existing users.
This move to a fully subscription-based model could be a sign of declining revenue and the platform trying to recoup it with subscriptions. It was also reported that many advertisers had left X due to Musk’s policies, though CEO Linda Yaccarino revealed during Code 2023 earlier this month that 90 percent of all the top 100 advertisers have now returned to X, with 1,500 returning in the last 12: during n a week. However, the report claims that revenue generation is not behind this feature.
The post stated: “This new test was developed to support our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with a small fee. It is not a profit driver.”
In a live broadcast last month, Musk claimed that charging users to use X was the “only way” to make a platform-free bot. However, removing these features could mean that X is essentially blocked behind a paywall where users have to subscribe to do anything but see messages.
X Premium level
X user Aaron, who goes by @aaronp613 on the platform, recently claimed that the X Premium subscription will be split into three tiers. The “Premium Basic” tier would offer all functionality with ads, while the “Premium Standard” would reduce the number of ads. The top tier subscription “Premium Plus” would offer all features without ads. However, the expected timeline or pricing for these subscription tiers has yet to be revealed.
