Photo Courtesy Of @elonmuskoffiicial/ Instagram
Tycoon Elon Musk has reportedly been pushing for an $8 Twitter Blue subscription to verify accounts on the app.
According to The New York Times, Elon will reportedly increase the price of Twitter’s Blue subscription service to $8. The new price point reflects a $3 jump from its previous $5 price point, a 60% increase.
“Twitter’s current lords & peasants system for who has or doesn’t have a blue checkmark is bulls**t,” Musk tweeted on Nov. 1. His tweet was confirmation that verification would be included in the updated subscription. “Power to the people! Blue for $8/month.”
Twitter reportedly plans to expand the subscription’s perks with its price increase. As such, subscribers will receive priority in mentions, replies, and searches via their accounts to eliminate spam. Subscribers will also be able to post long-form videos and audio, experience fewer ads and have the ability to access restricted content on the app.
Elon’s announcement has arrived just days after he vowed to change
Twitter. Earlier this week, he said he wanted to charge $19.99 for the updated subscription and make sure it’s required for verification. He eventually changed its price later on due to criticism, saying, “We need to pay the bills somehow. Twitter cannot rely entirely on advertisers. How about $8?”The South African native reportedly moved into his new base at the Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, CA, on Oct. 26.
“Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in!” he tweeted that day.
During his first week at the company’s headquarters, he began implementing changes in the platform, like updating Twitter’s homepage for logged-out users. He’s also planning to lay off a sizeable number of employees, including middle managers and engineers.
Despite Twitter users’ concern, Elon seems to have been going about his business unbothered.
“Twitter is simply the most interesting place on the Internet. That’s why you’re reading this tweet right now,” he wrote on Nov. 2.