“How is Twitter free?” is the ongoing joke of the platform, but users may have spoken too soon. Twitter has announced plans for paid content along with other new changes.
yall were like “how is twitter free😭” and now look where we are. RIP TWITTER FR‼️ pic.twitter.com/HKwSM07UVO
— layla (@24hourpremium) February 25, 2021
The news came on Feb 25 at the site’s Virtual Analyst Day. Twitter plans to make the platform more user focused and appealing to influencers. One of the site’s new features will allow content creators to charge followers for exclusive content, the feature has been coined “Super Follow.”
The idea of pay per view content on social media came about with sites like OnlyFans and Patreon, where influencers can offer exclusive monetized content, something that is appealing to influencers and users willing to pay.
With Twitter jumping on the monetization bandwagon, users are not pleased with the idea of paying for content. What many users have been asking for is a feature to edit their tweets after publication, but they have yet to receive this. With users upset about the new changes, #RIPTwitter began trending.
So, now I can't fix my typos, but you CAN pay to read them! RIP Twitter #riptwitter #twitter @jack pic.twitter.com/q6nPVnTZQR
— Daniel P. Malito (THE Chronic Briefs Home!) (@danielpmalito) February 25, 2021
Along with paid content, the site also unveiled “Communities,” which are groups that would tailor to users specific interests. Groups would be moderated and created by users for others on the platform to join. The idea is very similar to Facebook Groups.
Twitter also announced “Spaces,” which is a feature where users can converse via audio recordings. This feature had a soft announcement back in December and has since been experimenting with feedback groups.
we are giving Spaces to a very small feedback group. people in the group will be able to create Spaces for their followers and other people on twitter to join. they’ll have full control over who can/cannot speak in their space.
— Spaces (@TwitterSpaces) December 17, 2020
The site has undergone very few changes since its origin in 2006 but all newly announced features are a part of the platform’s three-year plan to increase user activity and double their annual revenue.
Our goal is to more than double our total annual revenue reaching $7.5B or more in 2023 by growing our audience and gaining advertising market share in both brand and direct response #TWTRAnalystDay pic.twitter.com/KT6hr6Z15g
— Twitter Investor Relations (@TwitterIR) February 25, 2021
“The notion of Twitter even changing feels like a novel concept,” said Twitter’s Head Of Consumer Product, Kayvon Beykpour.
Twitter has become a hub for social experiences, news, debate, and connection and Beykpour says that, “It’s still so far from achieving its potential, despite how much influence and value it does have in the world.”
Like it or not the changes will eventually be implemented and Twitter as we know it will be no more. While there are no definite release dates for any of the features, they are expected to come within the next three years.
