Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022 marked the beginning of a series of significant transformations. Under Musk’s leadership, the platform underwent a comprehensive overhaul, starting with renaming tweets to posts and replacing the iconic blue bird logo with a sleek “X.” Musk encouraged users to embrace these changes, pushing forward his vision to rebrand and revamp the social media giant. Despite numerous modifications, including updates to the mobile app and subscription policies, Musk’s ultimate goal was to change the platform’s URL.
In August 2023, the rebranded platform fully embraced its new identity with the slogan, “Blaze your glory!” Marketing materials proclaimed, “The X app is the trusted digital town square for everyone.” This marked a new chapter in the platform’s history, reinforcing Musk’s commitment to creating a dynamic and engaging digital space.
Subscription and Monetization
Recently, Musk announced that X will begin charging new users a small fee for basic functionalities such as posting, liking, bookmarking, and retweeting. This subscription model, currently being tested in New Zealand and the Philippines, costs $1 annually, approximately Rs 100 in India. The move aims to generate revenue while maintaining the platform’s accessibility.
Additionally, Musk revealed that users with more than 2,500 verified subscribers will gain free access to all Premium features. Accounts with over 5,000 verified subscribers will enjoy Premium+ features at no cost. “Going forward, all X accounts with over 2500 verified subscriber followers will get Premium features for free and accounts with over 5000 will get Premium+ for free,” Musk announced in a tweet.
Enhancing User Experience
To further improve the platform, Musk announced that xAI’s chatbot, Grok, will soon be available to all premium subscribers. This addition is aimed at enhancing user interaction and engagement on the platform, providing a more enriched and interactive experience.
X in India
Earlier this year, Musk addressed issues concerning the Indian government’s directives to the platform. The government had requested the removal of specific accounts and posts, a move X’s Global Government Affairs team disagreed with, citing freedom of expression. However, the platform complied with the government’s orders to avoid legal complications.
The Future of X
Elon Musk’s ambitious overhaul of Twitter, now known as X, underscores his commitment to innovation and user experience. The shift to x.com marks the culmination of a series of bold changes aimed at redefining the social media landscape. As X continues to evolve, users and stakeholders alike will be keenly watching how these changes impact the platform’s future. With Musk at the helm, X is poised to blaze a new trail in the digital world, continuing to innovate and push the boundaries of social media.