Elon Musk is at it again, introducing more changes to the social media platform he purchased last year. Twitter, now rebranded as X, is rolling out new tiers for its X premium subscription service X Premium.
How The X premium Subscription Tiers Are Structured
According to findings from developer Aaron P613, X’s code contains hints about upcoming subscription options – Basic, Standard, and Plus. These varying levels of service seem aimed at monetizing the platform through customizable ad exposure.
X Premium will be broken up into 3 tiers:
Premium Basic – Full Ads
Premium Standard – Half Ads
Premium Plus – No Ads pic.twitter.com/I0CyaQf2ME— Aaron (@aaronp613) October 5, 2023
The Basic tier will display regular ads, Standard will have fewer ads, and Plus promises an ad-free experience at a premium price point. Details and pricing for the tiers are still unclear.
X Premium currently costs $8/month or $84/year, with higher rates on iOS and Android due to store commissions. Current subscribers will likely be migrated to one of the new tiers.
Mixed Reaction Among Users
Opinions on this change are split among users. Some appreciate the ability to customize their ad exposure, while others see it as a money grab. However, this shift was predictable to many.
This was my whole argument when Twitter blue first came out. Anytime a subscription service is introduced, it only open the floodgates to more. There’s three here, but I guarantee in two years, we’ll see a prime or a platinum level. It doesn’t stop.
All for a checkmark. https://t.co/LfRpQU919g
— Kevin Raposo (@Kevin_Raposo) October 6, 2023
When X Premium first arrived, reactions were mixed. Some considered it a smart new revenue stream, but others predicted it would lead to endless subscription tiers for better experiences. This update appears to validate those concerns.
Slippery Slope to More Premium Tiers?
We may now be on a slippery slope to more exclusive premium tiers like “Prime” or “Platinum” that further divide users. As X continues evolving under Musk, these changes raise questions about the platform’s future path.
Will users embrace this increasingly segmented, pay-for-perks approach? Or will they finally revolt against the barrage of new features reserved for upper-class users?
Also Read: Privacy risk for X users as it gets rid of ‘Circles’
The latter may be slightly hyperbolic, but the fact remains – Musk is playing with fire in terms of loyalty. Though power users may accept new tiers, average folks may find the walls closing in.
Alienating the Mainstream User?
With each boundary Musk pushes, his grand social experiment risks alienating the mainstream. Only time will tell if he can retain a critical mass.
For now, the saga continues of Elon Musk disrupting a platform he bought on a whim. One must wonder though – is an endless pursuit of new revenue streams the right vision? Or will it ultimately undermine the inclusive, community-driven ecosystem that made Twitter powerful?
