Highlights
- Elon Musk announces two new subscription tiers for X, including a lower-cost and a more expensive, ad-free option.
- The ‘Not-a-bot’ subscription plan aims to combat spam and bot activity on the platform.
- X has seen a decrease in visitors, dropping from 6.4 billion in August to 5.8 billion in September.
Elon Musk has revealed two new premium subscription tiers on X (formerly known as Twitter) are to come soon.
The recently disclosed plans represent a refinement and expansion of this initial effort where he had started an $8 per month service on X giving verified accounts certain privileges.
Here’s what Musk said on X. “Two new tiers of X Premium subscriptions launching soon.
One is lower cost with all features, but no reduction in ads, and the other is more expensive, but has no ads.”
No further details have been provided at this point but we can take some educated guesses.
Combatting Platform Abuse
One of the key challenges of any social media platform is maintaining the quality and integrity of content.
Musk is trying to combat this system with the introduction of a ‘Not-a-bot’ subscription model, currently in the pilot phase in New Zealand and the Philippines.
Priced at $1 per year, this model aims to filter out spam accounts and bots, thereby reducing the potential for misinformation and manipulation on the platform.
Musk believes that making even a minimal charge for platform usage will serve as an effective barrier against these longstanding issues.
While the focus on monetization has allowed Musk to address specific platform challenges like bot activity, it also brings its own set of problems.
According to data from SimilarWeb, X has suffered a noticeable drop in visitor numbers, plummeting from 6.4 billion in August to 5.8 billion in September.
This downturn has run parallel to the platform’s aggressive monetization drives, suggesting a potential correlation.
Striking a Balance with Advertisers
Another complexity is managing the relationship with advertisers.
On one hand, Musk is giving users the option to opt-out of advertisements altogether with a more expensive subscription tier.
On the other hand, he has tried to entice advertisers back to X with special discount offers.
This balancing act between user experience and advertising revenue is a delicate one, which Musk will need to manage carefully to sustain the platform financially.
A “Read-Only” Future for Non-Payers
Perhaps the most significant change is the future for non-paying users. In line with the aggressive monetization, X will restrict non-subscribers to a “read-only” mode.
Users can read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts but won’t have the ability to engage in conversations.
This drastic shift veers away from the platform’s historical commitment to free and open dialogue, and raises questions about its future as an inclusive digital public square.
Also Read: X Enters, Iconic Bird Logo Exits: Elon Musk Rebrands Twitter Social Media Platform