Twitter has unveiled a new feature called “Subscriptions,” allowing users to offer paid subscriptions to their followers for exclusive content. The feature appears to be a revamped version of the platform’s previous “Super Follows” monetisation tool. CEO Elon Musk announced the initiative on Thursday, inviting users to “apply to offer your followers subscriptions of any content, from longform text to hours-long video!”
For the next 12 months, Twitter will not take any revenue from the programme, and creators will receive the entire amount earned from the subscription fees, which varies depending on whether it is mobile or web-based. Twitter will also help promote creators’ work, with Musk emphasising the company’s goal to “maximise creator prosperity.” Creators can easily leave the platform and take their work with them at any point.
Similar to the “Super Follows” feature, “Subscriptions” allow users to access subscription-only content for a monthly fee of $2.99, $4.99, or $9.99. Creators can earn up to 97% of the revenue Twitter receives from subscription fees, after in-app purchase fees, up to $50,000 in lifetime earnings. After crossing the $50,000 threshold, the figure drops to 80%.
Subscriptions are designed for creators to earn money from their most engaged followers on Twitter. Subscribers receive badges on their replies to creators they have subscribed to, making them more visible in the conversation.
Eligibility requirements for the beta phase of Subscriptions include being 18 years of age or older, having a complete profile with an account name, bio, profile picture, and header image, and having a verified email address.
Creators must also enable two-factor authentication, have no history of repeatedly violating the Twitter user agreement or content monetisation standards, and have an active Twitter account for at least three months. Additionally, creators must maintain 10,000 active followers or more and have posted at least 25 tweets in the past 30 days.
Currently, only US creators can offer subscriptions, and the feature is available to users in the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia on iOS, Android, and Twitter’s website. However, subscriber-only content cannot be viewed from the web.
This move by Twitter appears to be a direct challenge to newsletter platform Substack, which recently announced its Twitter-like “Notes” feature.
