Whether you’re a new user signing up or creating a fresh account, there’s no distinction – X (formerly known as Twitter) will now request subscriptions from all users.
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Users will now be charged $1 (around PHP 40) per year to experience basic features. This is different from X Premium, wherein users may pay $8 (around PHP500) annually to experience fewer advertisements, allow editing, even be prioritized in conversation, and receive a blue check.
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This new test, called “Not a Bot,” started on October 17, 2023. Paying will allow Filipino users to post and interact with other posts on the web version of X.
On the other hand, existing X users will not be affected by such an annual subscription fee.
A post by X Support states, “This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit driver.”
Starting today, we're testing a new program (Not A Bot) in New Zealand and the Philippines. New, unverified accounts will be required to sign up for a $1 annual subscription to be able to post & interact with other posts. Within this test, existing users are not affected.
This…
— Support (@Support) October 17, 2023
If you are a new X user, you first have to verify your account by linking it to an active phone number.
Choose between a basic subscription, which is $1, X Premium, or Verified Organization.
But don’t worry because this fee is a one-time charge, meaning you won’t have to pay $1 in your second or third year of using the platform.
You can also choose to cancel your subscription at any time after the initial $1 fee in case you changed your mind. But, take note that if you do cancel, your ability to post and interact with other users will be restricted, and you’ll only be able to read posts, watch videos, and follow accounts in a “read-only” feature.
What do you think of X’s approach to deter bots? Do you think this will be effective? Are you willing to pay a dollar to experience X’s basic features? Let us know!
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