Elon Musk has announced changes to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that will allow certain accounts to unlock free premium features. Accounts with over 2500 verified subscriber followers will receive Premium features for free, while those with over 5000 followers will get Premium+ for free. Previously, these features would cost $8 per month and include longer posts, video uploads, reply prioritization, and fewer ads on the timeline. These premium features are the only way for users to display a blue checkmark denoting a verified account since Musk acquired Twitter Inc for $44 billion in April 2022.
The announcement of these changes comes shortly after a U.S. judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by X against the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a group that claimed hate speech has increased on the platform since Musk’s takeover. The judge stated that it was evident Musk’s X could not handle criticism and that the firm was punishing the defendants for their speech. X plans to appeal the judge’s decision, but the platform’s daily usership in America has reportedly decreased by 23% since Musk’s takeover, falling behind rivals like Instagram and TikTok.
Despite the decline in daily users, Musk’s X is introducing these changes to attract and retain users on the platform. Premium features will now be available for free to accounts with a certain number of verified subscriber followers, providing additional incentives for users to engage with the platform. The Premium features offer enhancements such as longer posts, video uploads, reply prioritization, and fewer ads, while Premium+ users receive additional benefits like no ads in certain timelines and access to a generative artificial intelligence chatbot.
The decision to offer free premium features to accounts with a certain number of verified subscriber followers reflects Musk’s efforts to differentiate X from its competitors and maintain its relevance in the social media landscape. By providing these features for free, X aims to incentivize users to remain active on the platform and potentially attract new users who value the premium features offered. Despite facing challenges such as declining daily usership and legal disputes, Musk’s X is taking proactive steps to enhance the user experience and drive engagement on the platform.
Overall, Elon Musk’s announcement of free premium features for certain accounts on X reflects his strategic approach to maintaining and growing the platform in the face of challenges. By offering these features for free to accounts with a certain number of verified subscriber followers, X aims to enhance the user experience, differentiate itself from competitors, and attract and retain users on the platform. While facing legal disputes and declining daily usership, Musk’s X is taking proactive steps to address these challenges and position itself for continued growth and success in the social media space.
