Twitter’s blue tick feature launches after chaotic start

Twitter’s controversial blue-tick feature is rolling out again on Monday – after a brief pause due to fake accounts springing up. 

The feature means for $8 a month, people can buy the blue-tick verification feature (a tick that was previously reserved for celebrities and other high-profile figures). 

The tick still costs $8 a month but there is an increased fee of $11 for those using the Twitter app on Apple devices.

Twitter Blue also has an edit button feature, a highly requested feature by many users, although some argue it increases the potential for the spread of disinformation if the tweet is altered after being widely shared. 

What’s included in Twitter Blue

Blue-tick subscribers will see fewer ads and will have their tweets amplified above others. They will also be able to post and view longer and better-quality videos.

The blue tick had been used as a verification tool for high-profile accounts. It was a way to confirm the authenticity of the account, and was given out for free – but only to high-profile accounts and it was Twitter who decided who got one. 

But new Twitter boss Elon Musk believes it’s unfair. 

Those who had the blue tick under the previous regime currently still have them, but some of these users also have a message that appears if the tick is pressed saying the account is a “legacy verified account” and “may or may not be notable.”  

However, those check marks will now eventually be replaced with either gold (for businesses) or grey (for others such as authorities) badges, according to Twitter. 

Fake account fears

The feature was initially rolled out in November and was very quickly paused after users started impersonating big brands and celebrities and paying for the blue-tick badge to make their accounts look authentic. 

Many impersonated Elon Musk himself. 

Under the new system, if users change their names or display photos they will lose their blue tick until the account has been reviewed.