Twitter is now requiring all of its advertisers to pay for a blue verified tick or spend at least US$1,000 (almost AU$1,500).
An email sent to Twitter advertisers confirmed the change, saying it was part of the company’s broader verification strategy. Anyone wanting to post an ad on Twitter or promote a tweet will have to pay either US$8 per month for Twitter Blue or $1,000 per month to be recognised as a verified organisation.
Here’s the email:
Building a better Twitter through verification
Hello!
Starting April 21, your @account must have a verified checkmark or subscribe to either Twitter Blue or Verified Organizations to continue running ads on Twitter. Business accounts spending in excess of $1000 per month already have gold checks or will soon, and they’ll continue to enjoy access to advertising without interruption at this time.
This change aligns with Twitter’s broader verification strategy: to elevate the quality of content on Twitter and enhance your experience as a user and advertiser. This approach also supports our ongoing efforts to reduce fraudulent accounts and bots.
Subscribing to either of these services means you have been verified by Twitter as a real person and/or business.
Amongst other features, you’ll have a more visible organic presence and a broader range of creation tools. We’re excited for you to get started and to benefit from a superior Twitter experience.
For Twitter Blue, sign up here.
For Verified Organizations, apply here.
The biggest advertisers on the platform — i.e. those spending more than AU$1,500 per month already receive an official gold check for free.
Introducing changes to Twitter’s verification policy was one of Musk’s big bets when he took the reigns at the platform. However, as yet, it seems as though he is struggling to convince big names to stump up the cash.
NBC reporter Ben Collins said that of the 420,000 legacy verified users on the platform, just 320 signed up for Twitter Blue. There were also some 17,000 legacy verified users who voluntarily signed up for Twitter Blue before Musk pulled the plug.
(Previous version of this tweet said 17,000+, which was and remains around the number of legacy verified check marks that were already signed for Twitter Blue.)
— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) April 21, 2023
Celebrities on the platform are also refusing to sign up for Twitter Blue and there is now a nascent movement among some to block any and all Twitter Blue users. Platform superstar, @dril, who was included in the 35-person VIP Twitter user list to get a blue tick for free has even jumped on the train.
scientology brain. paint huffing used car dealer brain. pillhead grandma brain. shit stained herman miller brain #BlockTheBlueChecks pic.twitter.com/uHIgNl2fwM
— slave to Woke (@dril) April 22, 2023
Of course, there is still time for Musk’s plan to come good but it seems as though he might have bitten off more than he could chew.
