Elon Musk again launched a “monster trick” for users to pay for Twitter

The “For You” interface on Twitter is the first thing users see when opening the app, recommending content that users often follow, based on an algorithm. That means users can see their favorite content posts from even people they don’t follow. However, this upcoming feature will only show users who pay to use Twitter Blue premium – according to the latest assertion from Chairman Elon Musk.

Specifically, the multi-billionaire affirms: “Starting April 15, only verified accounts will be eligible to receive content recommendations from For You. This is the only and practical way. to solve the growing problem of AI bots. Otherwise it will be a hopeless loss. Voting in polls will require verification for the same reason.”

Appearing in the “For You” section helps someone who is building content on Twitter to attract a large number of new followers. Voting in polls doesn’t offer the same benefits to users, but blocking spam accounts from voting could lead to more Twitter users agreeing to sign up for the paid service.

Musk regularly posts his own polls on Twitter, asking users about everything from whether he should step down as CEO of the platform to whether he should sell shares of the company. Tesla (TSLA) or not.

Although Musk said Twitter was making changes to combat bot accounts, he later posted on his own social network that: “That means, you can verify the bot account. if they follow the terms of service and don’t impersonate a human.”

Elon Musk’s new strategy is to shift Twitter away from living almost entirely on ad revenue. In fact, a large portion of the Twitter ad base has left North America’s most used social network since Elon Musk bought it in October 2022.

Last week, Musk announced that accounts with a free green check – often government agencies, entertainment stars, members of media corporations and celebrities in other fields – would go missing. green – unless they agree to pay a subscription fee of $84/year or $8/month.

Elon Musk and famous actor William Shatner had an argument on Twitter about the idea of ​​​​the Canadian billionaire. Shatner opposes the idea of ​​paying for green ticks.

“Hey Elon Musk, what does it mean that we will go green unless we pay for Twitter” – the actor said – “I’ve been here 15 years taking my time and my funny thoughts to share Now you’re saying that I have to pay for what you gave me for free?”

Elon Musk replied: “It’s more important to treat everyone equally. There shouldn’t be another standard for celebrities.”