Blitter : Twitter's Blue Tick

Twitter's blue verification tick has long been a coveted symbol of legitimacy and credibility on the platform. For many users, it's a sign that they've made it in the online world, and it can be a powerful tool for building their brand and increasing their visibility.

The blue tick was previously offered without charge to those who completed the requirements. Twitter, however, revealed in November 2021 that it was launching a paid verification program named "Twitter Verification Subscription." For an additional $8 per month, users may apply for a blue tick through this program, which also offers further benefits including access to a team of Twitter experts and better search prominence.

The move to a paid verification program has been met with mixed reactions from users. Some see it as a natural evolution of the platform and a way to ensure that only those who are truly committed to building their brand and reputation are able to obtain a blue tick. Others see it as a money grab by Twitter and a way to further stratify the platform between the haves and have-nots.

One potential benefit of the paid verification program is that it could help to reduce the number of fake and impersonated accounts on the platform. In the past, some users have been able to obtain a blue tick through less-than-legitimate means, such as by paying someone to verify their account or by creating a fake website or press release to support their application. By requiring users to pay a monthly fee and providing additional verification checks, Twitter may be able to weed out some of these bad actors and improve the overall integrity of the platform.

However, there are also concerns that the paid verification program could be exclusionary, particularly for smaller businesses and independent creators who may not have the resources to pay a monthly fee. Some critics have suggested that Twitter should instead focus on making the blue tick more accessible to all users, perhaps by streamlining the application process or providing more transparent guidelines for eligibility.

The paid verification program may also disadvantage customers in other nations, which is another possible problem. The program is currently only accessible in a few nations, and it is unknown whether or when it will be expanded to additional areas. Because they might not be able to compete with users who have a blue tick and access to the subscription program's extra features, users in nations without access to it may be at a disadvantage.

It has generated controversy for Twitter to switch its free verification program for the blue tick to a paid one. While it could aid in lowering the amount of fictitious and impersonated accounts on the site, it might also be perceived as exclusive and result in an unequal playing field for users from various geographical areas. Only time will tell how users will react to the sponsored verification program and if it will eventually strengthen or weaken the platform's overall legitimacy and integrity.