X Launches New Option to Restrict Post Remarks to Verified Users

Why is X launching a new option to restrict post remarks to verified users?

After testing it over the past few months, X has officially launched its new audience control option. It will enable users to limit their post replies to verified accounts only in the app.

In addition to X’s three existing reply control options that were first added in 2021, X is now adding “Verified accounts” as an engagement control option.

It is done to restrict your responses to only those paying to use the app.

It is not overly beneficial. It is imperative when you consider that only 0.5% of X users are signed up for its Premium package.

But for those who only want Elon Musk’s fans to be able to engage with them in the app, it could be good.

Some users are guessing it will ensure that only you hear from like-minded users in response to your posts. But it is a niche addition.

What X has recently clarified?

X has recently clarified that only 20% of its users ever post anything at all, and based on those posts, the vast majority of X engagement comes via replies, re-posts, and quotes.

Hence, limiting your replies to only a fraction of X users is counter-intuitive. At the same time, those participating in X’s new creator ad revenue share program will only get paid based on ads shown within their post replies.

If granted, the only replies that will get monetizable in this context are those shown to verified users. But still, more replies would spark even more responses and help to get your content seen by more verified and non-verified users.

Essentially, most users would want to maximize the number of responses they get, and as such, restricting their replies to less than 1% of X’s overall audience is likely not overly appealing to most people.

But there may be a case for it, and as X continues to push people towards paying to use the app.

It could be part of the platform’s broader vision to incentivize X Premium, also formerly known as “Twitter Blue” take-up. X is trying to make it less desirable or valuable for non-subscribers.

Users have noted that it is steadily establishing a class system within the “global town square” where the only opinions that count come from people who can afford to speak.

Is it counter-intuitive?

It is counter-intuitive overall in a range of ways. But Elon and Co. have their minds set on verification being a pathway to broader success in ridding the platform of bots while also establishing a new revenue pathway.

What more X app is going to launch?

X is also looking to launch new tiered pricing packages for X Premium subscriptions. It is also planning to make its coming video call option an X Premium exclusive and add Premium-only polls within its growing subscription push.

Will that make more people pay up?

It has not thus far, but if X can keep piling on incentives, it will eventually become a more valuable option.

You would not be betting on it, but X certainly is.

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