In a major move, Twitter has announced that it will begin removing legacy blue checkmarks from the platform on April Fool’s Day, also known as April 1. The decision to remove the checkmarks has been anticipated for several months, with Elon Musk tweeting in December that the way in which they were originally given out was “corrupt and nonsensical.”
What are Legacy Blue Checkmarks?
Prior to Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the platform utilized checkmarks to validate individuals and entities as noteworthy, authentic, and active accounts of interest. These verified checkmarks were initially offered for free. However, as the platform expanded and more users and businesses sought verification, Twitter’s verification process faced challenges. Allegations of nepotism and corruption emerged, with some verified accounts being granted to individuals who did not meet the requisite criteria.
Twitter Blue Subscription Model
Currently, Twitter provides the option for its users to acquire a blue checkmark via the Twitter Blue subscription model at a cost of $8 per month. Furthermore, alternative checkmark colors and badges are also available for purchase, serving as an indicator of an account’s type, such as business or government.
According to Twitter, purchasing a checkmark gives users access to subscriber-only features, including fewer ads on their timeline, prioritized ranking in conversations, bookmark folders, and the ability to craft long tweets, edit tweets, and undo tweets. Twitter says that the purchase of a checkmark will ensure that verified accounts truly represent active, authentic, and notable accounts of interest.
Availability of Twitter Blue Subscription Globally
Shortly after the announcement of the removal of legacy blue checkmarks, Twitter also declared the introduction of the Blue subscription model worldwide. As a result of the global rollout, a greater number of users across various countries will be able to enjoy exclusive features like the option to customize their app icon and modify the color scheme of their app.
Conclusion
Twitter’s decision to remove legacy blue checkmarks from the platform is a major step towards ensuring that its verification process is transparent and fair. With the availability of Twitter Blue, users can now purchase a checkmark and access subscriber-only features, while Twitter can ensure that verified accounts truly represent active, authentic, and notable accounts of interest.
