Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), has hinted at the possibility of introducing a “small fee for new users” as a measure to combat the proliferation of automated accounts, or “bots,” on the platform.
In a recent post on X, Musk expressed concerns about the prevalence of automated accounts and their ability to easily bypass detection mechanisms designed to identify bots. He proposed the idea of imposing a fee for new users as a deterrent against bot activity.
Fee Details and Duration
While Musk did not provide specific details regarding the fee amount or its implementation timeline, he indicated that the measure would last for a duration of three months. The proposed fee would apply to new users seeking to engage in activities such as posting, liking, or bookmarking content on the platform.
Under the proposed plan, users who opt not to pay the fee would still have access to the platform but would be restricted from creating content, tweeting, liking posts, or bookmarking content.
Previous Implementation in Other Regions
Musk’s proposal draws parallels to a similar initiative introduced in October last year in New Zealand and the Philippines. In those regions, new unverified users were required to pay a nominal fee per year to interact with posts on the platform.
Premium Features and Existing Paid Options
Currently, X offers premium subscription features that include access to the monetization program, an ad-free browsing experience, access to X’s generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot, and enhanced visibility for replies.
Persistent Bot Concerns
Musk’s interest in addressing the bot issue dates back to his acquisition of X in late 2022. Despite efforts to curb bot activity, experts suggest that the problem has intensified, with bots increasingly leveraging AI technology.
Impact on User Base and Revenue
The prevalence of bots on X has contributed to a decline in user engagement, with the platform losing nearly a quarter of its US users since November 2022, according to data from Sensor Tower. Additionally, the platform has experienced a decrease in advertising revenue, leading to a decline in its overall market value.
As Musk explores strategies to combat bot activity and enhance user experience on X, the proposed implementation of user fees represents a proactive step toward addressing longstanding challenges associated with automated accounts on the platform.