Download
Elon Musk's X to launch premium subscriptions soon
CGTN

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

The X account of Elon Musk, July 24, 2023. /CFP
The X account of Elon Musk, July 24, 2023. /CFP

The X account of Elon Musk, July 24, 2023. /CFP

Elon Musk said on Friday social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, will soon launch two new tiers of premium subscriptions.

"One is lower cost with all features, but no reduction in ads, and the other is more expensive, but has no ads," Musk said on a post on X.

Musk, who took over the platform in October 2022, has been trying to boost revenue by charging users and by wooing back advertisers, who stopped buying ads after Musk fired most employees and disbanded content moderation teams.

Musk has acknowledged that the platform has taken a hit on revenue and has blamed activists for pressuring advertisers.

While he did not provide more details on the subscription plans, a test case by X earlier this week suggested several restrictions for users who don't want to pay for the service.

X started charging new users $1 in New Zealand and the Philippines as a test case for accessing the platform.

New users who opted out of subscribing will only be able to take "read only" actions, such as: read posts, watch videos and follow accounts, the company said on its website.

The platform's "Not A Bot" subscription method aims to reduce spam, manipulation of the platform and bot activity.

Other big tech companies have also experimented with a mix of ad-supported and subscription plans. While Alphabet's Youtube has both paid and free, ad-supported ones, Netflix's ad-supported plans are also chargeable, though at a smaller price tag.

YouTube, which like X is populated by content from users, shares a part of its subscription revenue with creators. X, which also shares some of its ad revenue with content creators, did not disclose if content creators will be paid in ad-free subscription models.

To generate revenue, Musk started charging $8 per month for the blue check subscription service and offered discounts to companies to advertise on the platform.

But as the company faced criticism over lax content moderation, advertisers did not want their ads appearing next to inappropriate content.

Last week, the European Commission launched an investigation into X to see whether it complies with new tech rules on illegal and harmful content following the spread of disinformation on its platform after Hamas' attack on Israel.

Source(s): Reuters

MORE FROM CGTN

Study reveals how tumors hijack key nutrient to evade immune attack
{"type":2,"value":"By Liu Jiaxin","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Health

04:09, 08-Apr-2025

Audi halts U.S. deliveries of newly imported cars amid Trump's tariffs
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

World

04:08, 08-Apr-2025

China unveils new radio telescope in Antarctica
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Space

04:08, 08-Apr-2025

China's icebreaker Xuelong returns from 41st Antarctic expedition
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Science

04:07, 08-Apr-2025

TOP NEWS

China slams U.S. threat of 50% additional tariffs
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

01:13, 08-Apr-2025

Qingming Festival: New consumption frontiers energize China's market
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

04:25, 07-Apr-2025

EU considering 25% retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

00:40, 08-Apr-2025

Search Trends