Attention Twitter users! The blue check-mark verification system on the platform is about to undergo significant changes, as promised by Elon Musk. The tech mogul purchased Twitter last year and has now announced that, starting from April 1st, verified check-mark status of accounts that Twitter had previously verified as notable before Musk's takeover will be removed, unless they have subscribed to Twitter Blue or Twitter Verified Organizations plan.
After April, only individual Twitter users who subscribe to Twitter Blue, which is available worldwide, will have verified blue check-marks. The monthly cost for the service is $8/month via the web and $11/month through in-app payment on iOS and Android. Twitter has also introduced a gold check-mark for companies and brands and has moved government accounts to a gray check-mark.
If you are a company or brand, you will need to subscribe to Twitter's new Twitter Verified Organizations program in the US to retain a gold or gray check-mark badge. The monthly cost for the program is $1,000 (plus tax) and $50/month (plus tax) for each additional affiliate subaccount.
Twitter introduced verified accounts in 2009 to help users identify genuine celebrities, politicians, companies, news organizations, and other accounts of public interest and did not charge for verification. However, Musk criticized Twitter's old system of verification, calling it "corrupt." He opened up blue check-marks to any paying customer to democratize the status symbol, generate a new revenue stream, and remove the corruption.
Before Musk's change allowing anyone to get a blue check-mark, Twitter had over 420,000 verified accounts. After he took over, Twitter changed the wording on the description of legacy verified accounts to say that they "may or may not be notable," which Musk claimed he was responsible for.
Twitter Blue, which includes the check-mark badge as one of the premium perks, was launched by the company two weeks after Musk closed the Twitter deal in November. However, the company suspended signups two days later when many users set up fake and parody accounts that appeared to be "verified." Twitter relaunched Twitter Blue the following month with new measures designed to prevent impersonators.
To be eligible for a verified blue checkmark, accounts must have a confirmed phone number, an account older than 90 days, and no changes to their name, username, or profile picture within 30 days. Accounts with a verified blue checkmark cannot engage in misleading or deceptive practices, such as impersonating someone else or using fake identities
