Twitter is set to start removing its iconic blue checkmarks that have long been seen as rewards from April 1 – the day the world will celebrate April Fool’s Day.
While many are hoping against hope, the removal of legacy checkmarks isn’t entirely surprising.
In December 2022, Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the company would remove the checks “in a few months” because “the way they were given was corrupt and unethical.”
In a few months, we will remove all legacy blue checks. The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 12, 2022
Since the announcement, people who have the legacy blue checkmark are receiving a popup every time they click the checkmark. The popup reads: “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”
Before Elon took over the microblogging platform, checkmarks were used to verify the accounts of individuals and groups as active authentic and accounts of “notable” interest.
Most importantly, verified checkmarks were free and users were not asked to pay for them.
However, Twitter announced in mid-December that it was introducing a Twitter Blue subscription model that would give subscribers “access to subscriber-only features such as edit tweets, 1080p video uploads and reader mode.”
Subscribers were also told that they would get a blue check mark after their accounts were reviewed to ensure they met all the requirements.
Twitter users were informed that they could purchase BlueCheck for $8 per month through a subscription model (iOS and Android signups would cost $11 per month due to App Store costs). Twitter also told users at the time that other checkmark colors and badges would be available for purchase to indicate whether an account is a business or government.
we’re baaaack! Twitter Blue is now available for $8/month on web or $11/month on iOS – we’ve made some upgrades and improvements 🧵 pic.twitter.com/uRMuwCSElb
— Twitter Blue (@TwitterBlue) December 12, 2022
Now, hours after Twitter announced that the Twitter Blue subscription is available globally for $7 (roughly Rs. 2,250), the platform has announced its decision to bring back the coveted checkmarks.
To get Blue Verified for $7/month, sign up via web browser at https://t.co/JUTlIcVsSe
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2023
“On April 1st, we will begin phasing out our legacy Verified program and removing legacy Verified checkmarks. To keep your blue checkmark on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue Are,” the Twitter verified handle tweeted.
On April 1st, we will begin winding down our legacy verified program and removing legacy verified checkmarks. To keep your blue checkmark on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOpLp
— Twitter Verified (@verified) March 23, 2023
Organizations can sign up for https://t.co/RlN5BbuGA3…
Musk also re-shared the announcement, saying: “Any individual’s Twitter account associated with a verified organization is automatically verified.”
Any individual person’s Twitter account affiliated with a verified organization is automatically verified https://t.co/5j6gx6UKHm
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2023
‘Give us money, or the checkmark gets it’
Unsurprisingly, as soon as the announcement was made, people began expressing their views on Musk’s decision.
1. “Your money or your blue checkmark.”
NEW: On April 1st, Musk will either take your money or your blue checkmark.
— winnie nantongo (@winnita) March 23, 2023
Twitter plans to remove all ‘legacy’ verifications on April 1st, meaning to keep yours, you will have to pay for Twitter Blue.
2. The validation that blue checkmarks are:
Damn, probably should not have placed my entire self-worth in my Twitter verification checkmark 😢 https://t.co/vVF3KaNboY
— David Rothschild 🌻 (@DavMicRot) March 24, 2023
3. “Ransom I won’t pay”
Guess it was nice knowing ya, blue checkmark. I can’t fathom giving that ding-dong any of money unless I’m getting a car out of the deal. Twitter Blue is a sham and ransom note I won’t pay. pic.twitter.com/8dg0dbxHAA
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) March 24, 2023
4. “Mistakenly notable”
the only value of a twitter blue checkmark now is that people might mistake you for someone who is actually notable. if you get rid of every other checkmark, then the twitter blue checkmark literally means nothing. they’re actually devaluing their own product by doing this. https://t.co/AiW6Vueoz1
— Drew Gooden (@drewisgooden) March 24, 2023
