In a significant shift for the newly rebranded social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), owner Elon Musk has announced plans to charge new users a "small fee" to post, like, bookmark, or reply to content . This move comes as part of Musk's ongoing efforts to combat bot spam and reshape the platform according to his vision .
According to the announcement, new X users will be required to pay a fee before they can engage with the platform's features . The exact amount of the fee has not been disclosed, but Musk has described it as "small" . Interestingly, this fee will only be applicable to new users who sign up for X, and will be waived after an initial 3-month period .
Musk's decision to implement a paywall for new users has sparked mixed reactions within the social media community. Some have praised the move as a bold attempt to deter spam accounts and improve the overall user experience. However, others have criticized the decision, arguing that it may discourage potential new users from joining the platform.
As of July 2023, X boasts an impressive global user base of over 450 million monthly active users. The platform, which was acquired by Musk in October 2022 for $44 billion, has undergone significant changes under his leadership. From the controversial rebranding to Twitter Blue subscription model, Musk has made it clear that he intends to overhaul the platform and explore new monetization strategies.
The introduction of a new user fee is just the latest in a series of changes aimed at transforming X into a more sustainable and profitable business. While it remains to be seen how this move will impact user growth and engagement, it underscores Musk's commitment to reshaping the platform in his image.
As the story develops, it will be interesting to see how X evolves under Musk's leadership and whether the new user fee proves effective in combating spam and improving the overall user experience. For now, current X users can continue to enjoy the platform's features without incurring any additional costs, while potential new users will need to weigh the benefits of joining against the newly introduced fee.
