Elon Musk Announces New Premium Subscriptions for Platform X

Elon Musk, the CEO of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), announced on Friday the introduction of two new tiers of premium subscriptions.

Two Subscription Tiers:

Musk revealed, “One is a lower-cost subscription that includes all features but still displays ads, while the other is more expensive but offers an ad-free experience.” However, he did not provide further details about the subscription plans.

Earlier in the week, the platform initiated a test in New Zealand and the Philippines by charging new users a $1 fee for access to the platform.

Limited Access for Non-Subscribers:

New users who choose not to subscribe will have restricted access, limited to “read-only” actions, such as reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts, as stated on the company’s website.

The platform’s “Not A Bot” subscription method aims to reduce spam, combat the platform’s manipulation, and minimize bot activity.

Challenges Since Musk’s Takeover:

Since Elon Musk assumed control of the platform in October 2022, rapid changes, including mass layoffs and the dissolution of content moderation teams, have resulted in advertisers pausing their ads on the service.

Musk has acknowledged a drop in revenue and attributed it to pressure from activists. He initiated an $8 monthly blue check subscription service to counter this and tried to lure advertisers back with discounts.