X, the social media platform, announces that it grants free blue tick verification to its most popular users. This perk extends to users with more than 2,500 verified followers who are already subscribed to X Premium. These users will also receive premium features at no additional cost.
In addition to the coveted blue tick, eligible users will experience a reduction in advertisements on the platform. X also initiates a process to clear out bots, which may result in a decrease in follower numbers for some users.
Originally, blue ticks were used to verify users’ identities. However, after Elon Musk acquired the platform, this feature became a paid service. Recent messages received by users indicate that blue tick verification is now provided free of charge to individuals deemed “influential members of the community.”
Furthermore, X Premium users benefit from having their tweets ranked higher in response to others and can apply for revenue sharing from advertisements displayed on the site.
Additionally, users with more than 5,000 verified followers are granted free access to Premium+, a subscription tier that significantly reduces advertisements and elevates the visibility of their tweets in interactions.
This development follows Mr. Musk’s announcement of the feature in late March. Prior to Mr. Musk’s ownership, blue ticks were bestowed for free as a verification badge by the platform. Originally intended to authenticate users and combat the proliferation of fake accounts and misinformation, blue ticks were once emblematic of a person’s authority on the platform, typically reserved for celebrities, government officials, and journalists.
