Twitter, the social media giant platform owned by Elon Musk, has announced that it will charge corporations $1000 per month for gold-verified check marks. The move is an attempt for the social media platform to amp up its earnings. The decision comes amid Musk offering stock grants to employees at a valuation of nearly $20 billion. However, the tech mogul purchased the platform for $44 billion, more than double its current valuation.
As per an official announcement, “vetted organizations that sign up for Verified Organizations are in full control of vetting and verifying accounts they’re affiliated with.” Moreover, the platform will charge an additional $50 per month for each associated account.
Moreover, individual accounts connected to recognized companies would continue to benefit from the verification mark benefits. Moreover, accounts connected to the organization will have a badge with the firm’s emblem on their profile. Such accounts will also be highlighted on the firm’s Twitter page. Furthermore, all firms that apply will be examined before they are allowed to become Verified Organizations.
Community reactions to Twitter’s $1000/month program
The move has caused a lot of strife among users. Users are questioning how the platform can justify such a high price for a feature that was previously free of cost. Moreover, some people are considering getting a blue check mark for their staff, instead of a gold check mark. The blue check mark currently costs $7.99 per month.
The co-founder of Pillow-Fight, William LeGate, called the $1,000 monthly fee “outlandish” and “meaningless.” He added that the blue check mark did not offer any boost in engagement. Popular cryptocurrency firm BitMEX said that verification is Musk’s cost to bear, not the user’s. Furthermore, the firm added that verifying all its members wasn’t cheap, but they are “cool with” it.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that the platform is rolling out its new initiative on April Fool’s day.
Nonetheless, reactions from users are mostly one-sided. Most people are against the high price of the gold-verified check mark. Although the move is aligned with the firm’s attempt to increase earnings, it has not garnered the support of the community. Moreover, the checkmark was a free-of-cost feature for vetted organizations earlier. Having to pay $1000 per month, is not something many organizations would be comfortable with.