Elon Musk, the ever-unpredictable tech mogul, has seemingly reversed course on a key X feature: the coveted blue checkmark. After removing verification badges from all users and placing them behind a paywall via X’s premium subscription, Musk is now granting them for free – but with a twist.
This week, many X users with a significant following were surprised to find a blue checkmark adorning their profiles. The company confirmed the change, explaining that accounts with over 2,500 followers would now automatically receive verification. This sparked confusion among some users who weren’t aware of the new policy, prompting X to send out notifications clarifying the situation.
Previously, under Twitter’s old management, blue checkmarks signified a verified identity – a way to distinguish public figures, celebrities, and journalists from imposters. However, Musk was a vocal critic of this system, famously calling it a “lords and peasants” approach. Shortly after acquiring X, he removed all existing blue checkmarks and made them part of a premium subscription package.
This latest move marks a significant shift in strategy for Musk. It remains unclear whether this is a permanent change or a temporary experiment. X’s official spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.
The return of free blue checkmarks raises several questions. Will a surge of unverified accounts with high follower counts dilute the value of verification? Will X implement additional measures to ensure the authenticity of these newly verified users? Additionally, how will this impact X’s premium subscription service, which previously offered verification as a key perk?