In a revolutionary move, X, the social media giant previously known as Twitter, unveiled its plans on Tuesday to test a unique subscription model. The model named “Not A Bot” will levy a $1 annual charge for accessing basic features of the platform, a step designed to weed out bots and maintain the authenticity of its user base.
Elon Musk, who took over the company last year, has expressed concerns regarding the proliferation of bots on the platform. To address this, X introduced a subscription fee that varies by country, depending on the prevailing exchange rates. Under the “Not A Bot” subscription, users will be charged for functionalities like liking, reposting, quoting other users’ posts, and bookmarking content on the web-based platform.
X has chosen New Zealand and the Philippines as the first countries to experience this new model. However, it’s essential to note that current users of the platform will remain unaffected by these changes. The subscription model primarily targets new users. Those choosing not to subscribe will be relegated to merely viewing and reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts.
Last July, under the helm of Elon Musk, X had already introduced measures limiting tweet views to ensure the authenticity of the user. Additionally, sources recently revealed that X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, held discussions with the company’s lenders. During these talks, she hinted at the possibility of the platform testing three different subscription tiers. These tiers would vary based on the number of ads shown to users, further indicating the company’s move towards diversifying its revenue streams.