Elon Musk Confirms X (Formerly Twitter) Will Charge New Users a Small Fee

Elon Musk confirmed Monday that X (formerly Twitter) plans to start charging new users to post on the platform, TechCrunch reported. The move, aimed at combating bots, has sparked widespread debate online. In a post on X, Musk told a user that a “small fee” to let new accounts post on the platform is the “only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.”

The announcement follows earlier suggestions from X owner Elon Musk, who suggested Monday new users on the social network formerly known as Twitter will need to pay a small fee to use basic functions on the platform. This fee, while unfortunately, a small fee for new accounts, is intended to verify genuine users and discourage the creation of numerous fake profiles. Musk argues that this measure is essential to maintaining a healthy and authentic environment on X.

Musk's reasoning is that the sheer volume of bot activity overwhelms current moderation efforts. By introducing a nominal charge, he believes it will create a financial barrier for bot operators, making their activities less profitable and therefore less appealing. The exact amount of the fee and the specific features it will unlock are yet to be fully detailed.

This decision marks a significant shift in X's approach to user access and monetization. While the platform has previously explored various subscription models, this marks the first time that new users will be required to pay to simply post. The implications for user growth and platform dynamics remain to be seen, but the move underscores Musk's commitment to tackling the persistent bot problem on X.

Stay tuned for more updates on the pricing structure, implementation details, and the user reaction to Elon Musk confirmed Monday that X (formerly Twitter) plans to start charging new users to post on the platform, TechCrunch reported as they become available.