X Launches $16 Per Month Subscription

On Friday, the platform formerly known as Twitter, now "X," introduced two new subscription tiers after an entire year of Elon Musk's ownership. The social media network has been facing financial difficulties recently.

Users can now choose from three subscription plans: Basic, Premium (formerly known as "Blue"), and Premium +, priced at $3, $8, and $16 per month, respectively.

In addition to the features included in the Premium plan, Premium+ subscribers will benefit from enhanced message visibility, giving their messages a better chance of being read and generating interactions. 

Premium+ subscribers will also enjoy an ad-free experience on the platform.

The Basic option includes essential editing tools (including the ability to edit messages or post longer video clips) and two-factor authentication but lacks the content creator tools (which allow monetization) and the famous blue verification checkmark.

The subscription-based "Blue" service was launched chaotically in the months following Tesla's CEO Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion.

The goal was to diversify revenue sources and make account verification accessible to all interested users.

Previously, the blue verification checkmark was free and limited to specific categories of users who achieved a certain level of fame. Now, the feature is paid but available to everyone.

With this move and a significant decrease in content moderation, the platform has become more challenging to navigate.

Fake accounts that purchase the blue verification badge are on the rise, often using it to spread false information or rumors.

Many advertisers have opted to withdraw from X. The platform's value has plummeted to $20 billion, and advertising revenue has halved, according to Elon Musk.

X might become a paid platform for all users. In New Zealand and the Philippines, new users are required to pay one dollar per year to use the app.