New Users On ‘X’ (Twitter) To Pay $1 Annual Fee

X, the social networking site led by Elon Musk, has initiated a new program requiring new, unverified accounts to subscribe annually for $1, enabling them to post and engage with other content on the platform.

The company has revealed that this program is currently in the testing phase in New Zealand and the Philippines, in preparation for a global rollout. Existing unverified users will not be impacted by this change.

For new users who decide not to subscribe during the signup process, their capabilities will be limited to “read-only” actions, which include reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts.

Upon registration, new users will be presented with subscription options, including a $1 fee, X Premium, or Verified Organizations.

Despite Elon Musk’s substantial efforts to turn the $44 billion acquisition into a profitable venture, X asserts that the introduction of this program is primarily aimed at combatting spam, rather than boosting profits.

The company stated, “This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity while maintaining accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit-driven initiative.

So far, subscription options have proven to be the most effective solution at scale. This will serve as a potent measure to help us combat bots and spammers on X, while ensuring platform accessibility with a minimal fee. Existing users will remain unaffected during this test.”

Elon Musk’s Initial Announcement:

Elon Musk initially hinted at the possibility of implementing a fee for using X during a live-streamed conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. While he didn’t specify the exact amount at that time, Musk had originally planned for a monthly subscription fee.

The decision to introduce a $1 annual fee represents a more appealing alternative compared to the “small monthly payment of a few dollars” that Musk had previously suggested.

Responding to Netanyahu’s concerns about a high prevalence of ‘bot-generated’ content on X, Musk commented:

“This is actually a complex issue, and it’s arguably the most significant reason for implementing a small monthly fee for using X. It’s the only viable solution I can think of to counter extensive bot activity since the cost of operating a bot is only a fraction of a penny.

However, when users are required to pay even a small amount, the effectiveness of bots is substantially reduced. Additionally, bot operators would need new payment methods for every new bot, which presents limitations even on the dark web.

“We are also considering lower-tier pricing options. Our goal is for the fee to be minimal. This is a more in-depth discussion, but in my view, it’s the only defense against large bot armies. As AI continues to advance, it can solve CAPTCHA tests better than humans.”