Twitter begins testing new Blue subscription with verification; complete rollout expected soon | Digit

On November 5, 2022, several publications reported that Musk-owned Twitter has started rolling out its new $7.99 Blue subscription plan. A couple of days ago, Musk took to his official Twitter account to reveal that the new Twitter Blue subscription, including verification, will cost $7.99 monthly. 

Twitter’s update notes in App Store indicate 

While the move was criticised as it practically allows everyone to have a verified account on the platform, the Twitter chief responded in his own way, saying, “trash me all day, but it’ll cost $8,” on November 5, 2022. Nevertheless, here is everything you need to know about the Twitter Blue subscription.   

As per a New York Times report, Twitter announced the Blue subscription in the updates notes of the app in Apple’s App Store. The update note reads, “your account will get a blue checkmark, just like the celebrities, companies and politicians you already follow.” However, another line reads, “Get Twitter Blue for $7.99/month if you sign up now.” Does that mean that Twitter will increase the price of its Blue subscription in due course? Time will tell.  

The benefits, as mentioned in the update note, that are coming soon, include the following:

1. Half the ads are shown to regular users. Additionally, Twitter aims to show Blue subscribers more relevant ads.

2. Users will get the ability to post longer videos. 

3. Blue subscribers’ content will get priority ranking in replies, mentions and searches, which might help lower the visibility of scams, spam and bots.

Twitter is testing changes related to Twitter Blue subscription 

The new Blue isn’t live yet — the sprint to our launch continues but some folks may see us making updates because we are testing and pushing changes in real-time. The Twitter team is legendary. New Blue… coming soon! https://t.co/ewTSTjx3t7

— Esther Crawford  (@esthercrawford) November 5, 2022

However, the early-stage products manager at Twitter, Esther Crawford, tweeted earlier today that “the new Blue isn’t live yet.” Although the platform is working on the new subscription model, it is “testing and pushing changes in real-time.” Hence, at the moment, the Twitter Blue subscription is not live. 

The new Twitter Blue subscription with verification, once it is live, will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. However, Musk plans to expand the service to more countries, including India. 

Meanwhile, Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, has tweeted that “folks at Twitter past and present are strong and resilient. They will always find a way no matter how difficult the moment.” Adding to it, Dorsey says, “I realise many are angry with me. I own the responsibility for everyone is in this situation: I grew the company size too quickly.” Dorsey refers to the recent bloodbath at Twitter, where more than half the staff was laid off as the company loses $4 million a day. 

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