According to tech mogul Elon Musk, Twitter will launch a new “higher priced” Blue subscription that will have ad-free services for its users. The existing $7.99 per month Twitter Blue subscription provides 50 percent fewer ads than non-verified users but the feature has not rolled out yet.
Quick Facts
- Twitter to launch a more expensive ad-free subscription service to raise Twitter Blue’s low subscriber count and recover the company’s 40 percent decline in ad revenue
- Musk disclosed that the platform is working on decreasing the frequency and size of ads on Twitter
- He has not spoken about the date of launch and pricing
Twitter recently liquified its communications department so the company has stopped reaching out to the public and commenting on new developments.
The existing Twitter Blue subscription provides the user with a blue “verified” checkmark that comes with additional features. Blue users can undo tweets, post longer 1080p videos, use reader mode for threads, and have higher priority than other users.
Before the news dropped, Twitter furtively blocked platform access to its third-party clients like Tweetbot and Twitterrific. On Thursday, the company made tweaks to its developer agreement.
The revised terms and conditions state that developers can’t use Twitter’s API to “create or attempt to create a substitute or similar service or product to the Twitter Applications.”
Although Musk never revealed why these apps were banned, it’s speculated that Twitter’s financial struggles and massive revenue dip are the reason for the CEO pulling the plug on third-party clients.
Twitter has also been auctioning off thousands of dollars worth of office furniture and other items.
Twitter Blue fails to attract users
Although some developers pay to access Twitter’s API, Twitter doesn’t show ads through it preventing the platform from making money through ads. People using third-party apps didn’t see a need to purchase a Twitter Blue subscription, as some of these apps are ad-free.
Twitter Blue prices underwent a $3 premium before they were launched on Android and iOS. It is a way to offset the commission taken by Apple and Google due to in-app purchases.
So Blue has been available on iOS for $11 per month after it was relaunched in December and Twitter dropped the service for Android users on Thursday for the same price.
Users can also buy a year-long subscription at the discounted rate of $84 on the web version. Twitter Blue’s launch was delayed to faults in its verification system which continues even today so it is not surprising how the service has to failed to attract users.
Why is Twitter launching a higher-priced Twitter Blue service?
Weeks after Blue’s relaunch, Elon Musk spoke about a “higher priced” subscription that will allow ad-free services. However, he didn’t share any particulars about the pricing, date of launch, or its building.
Musk shared how advertisements on Twitter are “too frequent” and “too big” which called for urgent action. Twitter employees are working to address these problems within the coming weeks.
The announcement comes amidst ongoing monetary struggles faced by the company. After Musk acquired the company, Twitter Blue went through many changes.
The subscription service is now available for $8 on the internet or $11 when you subscribe on iOS or Android. Users can also pay $84 to access 12 months of the service.
The revamped Twitter Blue features a blue checkmark, customized app icons, bookmark folders, app themes, the flexibility to undo tweets, and a customizable navigation bar. The ad-free Twitter Blue, besides providing similar options, will solve Twitter’s longstanding ad issue.
When Twitter revealed the $8 plan, the company resolved to allow its subscribers “50% fewer ads than non-verified people,” but the function has not been launched yet. As a result, present Blue users see any many advertisements as anybody else.
It was earlier possible to avoid advertisements on Twitter through the use of a third-party client such as Twitterific or Tweetbot. Now, Twitter has banned third-party apps by blocking their entry to the platform’s API.
