X, formerly Twitter, launched two new subscriptions on Friday, precisely a year after Elon Musk acquired the financially struggling social network for $44bn.
Customers now have the choice of three packages: Basic, Premium (previously “Blue”) and Premium+, priced at $3, $8 and $16 per month respectively.
In addition to the benefits included in the Premium package, Premium+ subscribers will enjoy higher visibility for their posts, increasing their likelihood of being read and eliciting responses, and will no longer see adverts.
The cheapest option includes basic editing tools, such as the ability to correct a post or publish lengthier videos, alongside two-factor authentication. However, it does not grant access to creator tools, which offer monetisation opportunities, nor does it provide account verification with the coveted blue checkmark.
Other changes on the horizon
There is a possibility the network could also introduce a universal paywall – with new users in New Zealand and the Philippines already required to pay a dollar annually to post messages.
The intent behind this move, according to Elon Musk, is to deter “bot” registrations – automated accounts that could artificially amplify political messages, for instance.
Musk has ambitions to transform the platform into an “everything app”, following the model of China’s WeChat, which doubles as a messaging and online payment service.
He has begun experimenting with the addition of an audio and video calling tool directly accessible from X.
On Friday, he penned “Freedom” on his profile, republishing his post from the day he acquired the company: “The bird is liberated” – a reference to Twitter’s now-defunct blue bird.
