X may charge new users a “small fee” for posts, likes and replies
By ForGeeks Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) will soon begin charging new users «a small fee» for posting content, as well as for liking, replying to and bookmarking tweets, according to Ilon Musk.
X Daily News, a channel that publishes X updates, noticed today that the text lines on the site have been updated to mention a small annual fee that new users will have to pay to gain access to the social network. Musk responded by saying that the fee for new users —is «the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots».
Musk said that the fee is —the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.
The fee has already been tried in New Zealand and the Philippines, and Musk says it only applies to newcomers to Twitter. When a new user signs up, they will have to pay a fee or wait three months to be able to communicate online. Updated wording on Twitter’s website:
.
New accounts must pay a small annual fee before you can post, like, bookmark and reply. This is to reduce spam and create a better experience for everyone. You can still follow accounts and view X for free.
.
The text doesn’t mention the ability to post for free after three months, but Musk has confirmed that «writing actions» will be free after that time. It’s unclear how this policy will combat spam and bots, as spammers will be able to pay a fee or simply create multiple accounts and wait to be allowed to post. In the meantime, regular users may choose not to use X because of the extra step and the fact that other social networks are free.
Another social network is free.
It appears the fee will be around $1, as it costs NZ$1.75 in New Zealand. The pay-as-you-go policy has not yet been implemented outside of New Zealand and the Philippines. Musk said fake accounts also use the «available namespace», limiting «good handles». X has freed more than a million usernames so far and «will free tens of millions more in the coming weeks».
At the moment, X has freed more than a million usernames and will release tens of millions in the coming weeks.
