Twitter, the giant social media platform owned by Elon Muskannounced that it will charge companies $1000 per month for gold verified check marks. The move is an attempt by the social media platform to boost its revenue. The decision comes as Musk is offering stock grants to employees worth nearly $20 billion. However, the tech mogul bought the platform for $44 billion, more than double its current valuation.
According to an official announcement, “Vested organizations that to register for verified organizations have full control over vetting and verifying accounts they are affiliated with.” In addition, the platform charges an additional $50 per month for each linked account.
In addition, individual accounts associated with accredited businesses would continue to benefit from the trustmark benefits. In addition, accounts associated with the organization will have a badge with the company’s emblem on their profile. Such accounts will also be highlighted on the company’s Twitter page. In addition, all companies that apply will be vetted before they are allowed to become verified organizations.
Community Responses to Twitter’s $1000/Month Program
The move has sparked much controversy among users. Users wonder how the platform can justify such a high price for a feature that used to be free. In addition, some people are considering getting a blue check mark for their staff, rather than a gold check mark. The Blue Check is currently $7.99 per month.
Pillow-Fight co-founder William LeGate called the $1,000 monthly fee “bizarre” and “pointless”. He added that the blue tick did not provide a boost in engagement. Popular cryptocurrency company BitMEX said verification is the cost for Musk to bear, not the user’s. In addition, the company added that verifying all its members wasn’t cheap, but they think it’s “cool.”
Hi @Elon Musk,
we know you’ve been
left right and center, BUT verification
Verifying all BitMEX users wasn’t cheap, but it was our cost, and it will continue to be, which we’re cool with. https://t.co/z4QVLjgIP5
— BitMEX (@BitMEX) March 24, 2023
left right and center, BUT verification 
are your costs to bear, NOT your users. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that the platform will roll out its new initiative on April 1.
And they’re rolling this out on April 1
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 23, 2023
Yet the reactions of users are often one-sided. Most people are against the high price of the gold verified tick. While the move is in line with the company’s effort to boost revenue, it hasn’t won community support. Additionally, the checkmark was previously a free feature for vetted organizations. Having to pay $1000 a month is not something many organizations are comfortable with.