Sections of this topic
In this article, we’ll look at the reasons behind Twitter’s decision to charge users for the blue checkmark and how this move has impacted celebrities and other prominent users.
Key Takeaways:
- Twitter now charges $8 per month for blue checkmark, previously an indicator of account authenticity
- Only 5% of previously verified users have opted to pay for the checkmark
- Notable celebrities who have paid for the checkmark include Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus
- Many celebrities have refused to pay for the checkmark, including LeBron James, Stephen King, and William Shatner
Twitter’s Decision to Charge for the Blue Checkmark
Twitter has recently made a controversial move.
The social media giant has decided to charge users $8 per month to maintain their blue checkmark.
Previously, the blue checkmark served as an indicator that an account was authentic and verified.
Now, users must pay a monthly fee to keep their verification status.
This decision has sparked a divide among celebrities and other prominent users on the platform.
Some have chosen to pay for the checkmark, while others refuse, opting to lose their verified status.
Celebrities Who Have Paid for the Checkmark
A number of high-profile celebrities have decided to pay the fee to maintain their blue checkmark on Twitter.
Among them are big names in the music industry, such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Miley Cyrus.
Other artists who have opted to pay for their checkmarks include Britney Spears, The Weeknd, Joe and Nick Jonas, Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, Coldplay, David Guetta, Shawn Mendes, and Snoop Dogg.
Hollywood has its share of actors willing to pay for the blue checkmark as well.
Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, Hugh Jackman, and Neil Patrick Harris are among those who have decided to maintain their verified status.
In the sports world, tennis player Novak Djokovic, NBA stars Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony, as well as pro wrestlers John Cena and Randy Orton, have chosen to subscribe to the service.
Talk show hosts Jimmy Fallon and Ellen DeGeneres, along with online influencers Mr. Beast, Jake Paul, and Logan Paul, have also decided to pay for the blue checkmark.
Even Khloe Kardashian, a member of the famous Kardashian family, has decided it’s worth the cost.
The Resistance: Celebs Saying No to Paying
Despite the many celebrities who have opted to pay for their blue checkmarks, there is a significant number of stars who have publicly refused to subscribe to the service.
LeBron James, renowned basketball player, is among those who have criticized the move to pay for verification.
Similarly, authors Stephen King and William Shatner have both refused to pay, despite still having blue checkmarks on their accounts.
Other celebrities who have joined the resistance include Patrick Mahomes, Jason Alexander, Karl Urban, Jason Isbell, and Chrissy Teigen.
These stars have all claimed they have no plans to subscribe to the service and are willing to lose their verified status.
On the eve of the legacy verified checkmark removal date, actress Halle Berry tweeted a video of her entrance on a late-night TV show, stating, “Me joining you all tomorrow unverified.”
This indicates her preference to lose the blue checkmark rather than pay the fee.
When a fan of comedian Patton Oswalt asked if he would pay for Twitter Blue, Oswalt replied with a firm “ha ha ha fuck no.”
The Future of Twitter Verification
Twitter’s decision to charge users for the blue checkmark has stirred up the platform and raised questions about the future of verification on social media.
With many celebrities and prominent users divided on the issue, it remains to be seen how this change will impact user trust and the overall integrity of the platform.
Moreover, the move to charge for the checkmark may lead to an increase in fake or imposter accounts, causing confusion among users.
It will be interesting to see how Twitter tackles this issue and whether they will reconsider their decision in response to the backlash.
In the meantime, Twitter has also launched a program for businesses and organizations, charging $1,000 per month for gold verification badges.
This new tier is separate from the blue checkmarks and is aimed at providing an exclusive level of verification for companies and organizations.
Twitter has announced that they will not charge fees for their top 500 advertising clients and the 10,000 most popular verified brands, companies, and organizations.
These are well-known names in different fields and their verified status will not be affected by the recent changes.
Users who belong to a verified organization will now have a blue checkmark next to their account name and an icon representing their organization.
This helps to easily identify them as part of that organization and sets them apart from other users.
This move to charge businesses and organizations for verification has raised concerns about the potential impact on smaller companies and nonprofits, which may struggle to afford the steep monthly fee.
Critics argue that this change could contribute to an unequal playing field on social media, favoring larger corporations with deeper pockets.
As Twitter continues to make adjustments to its verification system, users and industry experts alike will be closely monitoring the platform’s decisions and their effects on the user experience.
In the end, the success or failure of these changes will depend on how well Twitter can balance its need for revenue with the desires and expectations of its vast user base.
