Social Media Platform X to charge $1 per annum for new, unverified accounts

In a bid to combat the persistent issue of bots and spammers on its platform, social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on Tuesday that it would be testing a groundbreaking subscription model, humorously named “Not A Bot.” Under this new model, users will be charged a nominal annual fee of $1 to access certain enhanced features, marking a significant shift in the platform’s revenue strategy.

Last month, he had said that the platform was “moving toward having a small monthly payment for use of the X system” in an effort to keep bots off the platform.

The “Not A Bot” subscription is designed to target a specific set of features, including the ability to like, repost, or quote other users’ posts, as well as bookmarking posts on the web version of the platform. X believes that introducing this subscription model will not only generate revenue but also help in curbing the rampant issue of automated bots and spammers that have plagued the platform for years.

One unique aspect of this subscription model is that the annual fee will vary from country to country, based on the exchange rate and local economic conditions. This dynamic pricing approach is expected to make the subscription affordable and accessible to a global user base.

The initial rollout of the “Not A Bot” subscription will begin with users in New Zealand and the Philippines. Existing users will not be immediately affected, as they can continue to use the platform as before. However, new users who opt not to subscribe will have limited access, restricted to viewing and reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts.

Bots and spammers have been a long-standing challenge for X, a concern that became even more prominent after its acquisition by tech mogul Elon Musk last year. In an effort to maintain the authenticity of its user base, X had previously introduced limitations on viewing tweets. This step aimed to address the issue by restricting access and interaction to genuine human users.

How this new test will work for new accounts on web:

Step One: Phone Verification

• New accounts created on X will first be required to verify their phone number.

Step Two: Select Your Subscription Plan

• $1 USD Annual Fee (prices vary by country and currency). New users will be able to perform certain actions on the web version of the platform: post content, Like posts, Reply, Repost and Quote other accounts’ posts, Bookmark posts.

Earlier this month, there were reports that X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, had discussions with the company’s lenders about testing different subscription tiers. These tiers would be based on the number of ads displayed to users, indicating a broader strategy to diversify the platform’s revenue streams.

The introduction of the “Not A Bot” subscription model reflects X’s commitment to enhancing user experiences, promoting authenticity, and exploring innovative ways to address longstanding issues. As the test phase begins in New Zealand and the Philippines, the global social media community will be watching closely to see how this model impacts user engagement and the battle against bots on the platform.