Elon Musk Considers Turning X Into a Paid Platform to ‘Combat Bot Influence’
In a recent live stream conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and owner of X (formerly Twitter), discussed the possibility of implementing a paywall structure for the platform. Musk’s proposal aims to tackle the pervasive issue of bot activity on X by making it a paid service for all users.
Elon Musk’s motivation behind this significant shift in X’s business model is to address the rampant infiltration of bots on the platform. He believes that by requiring users to pay for access, the influence of bots could be significantly reduced, ultimately leading to a more authentic and engaging user experience.
While Musk did not provide specific details during the conversation, he mentioned that the new payment system would introduce a two-tier pricing structure. This structure would not only include the existing X Premium subscription but also offer a lower-priced tier for all users. This approach aims to cater to a wide range of users while ensuring that the platform remains accessible to a broader audience.
Elon Musk’s vision for X extends beyond combating bot activity. Since taking over Twitter in October of the previous year and rebranding it as X, he has embarked on a mission to revamp the platform’s financial performance. X has struggled to turn a profit in the past, primarily due to limited advertising opportunities and the burden of heavy debt inherited from previous management.
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Under Musk’s leadership, X has undergone significant changes, including the expansion of the Premium service to more countries. This premium offering includes features like a verified badge, an edit post button, and the ability to hide likes on the platform. These changes have been aimed at enhancing the user experience and attracting a more diverse user base.
If Elon Musk‘s plan to turn X into a paid platform becomes a reality, the platform could face challenges, particularly in retaining its user base. Users from countries like India, where the X Premium service already comes at a cost, may find the prospect of paying for access less appealing. As a result, the platform may see a substantial drop in users from regions where cost sensitivity is a significant factor.
