Twitter introduces UI changes to Promote Subscriptions and Exclusive Content

Jun 1, 2023 11:06 By X

~2 min read

Last Updated: Oct 12, 2023 19:07

Twitter is making exciting changes to promote subscriptions and offer exclusive content, and Elon Musk's involvement in the company brings a wave of optimism. The reintroduction of super followers as subscriptions after Elon Musk's acquisition in late 2022 demonstrates his commitment to transforming the platform and making it more content-friendly. By driving up revenue without relying on ads, Twitter aims to create a vibrant community of content creators and dedicated followers.

One of the key updates Twitter has made is the visibility of a *subscribe* button at the top of tweets when opened in the web app. This feature will soon be implemented in mobile apps as well, making it effortless for users to support their favorite content creators. Moreover, Twitter has introduced the *Subscribe to unlock* button, which tantalizingly presents a preview of the first line of subscriber-only tweets, leaving the rest blurred and hidden behind the button. This feature adds an air of exclusivity and entices users to subscribe to access premium content.

Twitter's subscription model offers followers the opportunity to enjoy exclusive content from content creators they admire for as low as $1 per month. This affordable pricing ensures that more users can access premium content without breaking the bank. The direct relationship between content creators and their followers incentivizes creators to produce high-quality content, while enabling them to monetize their influence and creativity on the platform. It's a win-win situation for both parties.

In a show of support for content creators, Twitter has announced that it will not keep any cut from the subscriptions during the first year. This gesture demonstrates Twitter's commitment to nurturing the creator community and helping them thrive. However, during this initial period, Apple charges a 30% app store fee for any purchases. From the second year onwards, Twitter will take a 15% cut, and Apple's fee will decrease to 15% as well. Elon Musk's involvement adds an extra layer of optimism, as he also takes a 15% cut from the second year onwards, ensuring creators receive a consistent 70% share of the subscription revenue over time.

With these exciting updates and Elon Musk's visionary leadership, Twitter is poised to become a thriving platform for content creators and dedicated followers. The emphasis on exclusive content and affordable subscriptions encourages users to engage with their favorite creators and support their work. By driving up revenue without relying solely on advertisements, Twitter can create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both the platform and the content creators. As the updates roll out and more users subscribe to their favorite content creators, Twitter's future looks bright and promising.

Twitter, under new ownership after Elon Musk’s acquisition in late 2022, is making significant changes to its platform to promote subscriptions and exclusive content. These changes aim to enhance the content-friendliness of the platform and drive up revenue without relying on advertisements. By reintroducing super followers as subscriptions and implementing new features like the visible subscribe button and the Subscribe to unlock option, Twitter is hoping to encourage more users to subscribe to their favorite content creators. This article examines the recent updates and their potential impact on Twitter’s revenue model.

Twitter’s Subscription Model: Twitter subscriptions offer followers the opportunity to access exclusive content from their favorite content creators by paying a monthly subscription fee. The cost can be as low as $1 per month, providing an affordable option for users to enjoy premium content. With this model, Twitter aims to create a direct relationship between content creators and their followers, incentivizing creators to produce high-quality content and enabling them to monetize their influence on the platform.

New Subscription Features: To make subscribing more seamless, Twitter has made key updates to its interface. When a tweet is opened on the web app, users will now see a prominent subscribe button at the top. Soon, this feature will be implemented in the mobile apps as well. Additionally, Twitter has introduced the Subscribe to unlock button, which appears on tweets from accounts users follow but have not yet subscribed to. This button presents a preview of the first line of the tweet, with the rest of the content blurred and hidden behind the subscription prompt.

Revenue Model and Partnership: Twitter’s revenue model for #subscriptions has an interesting twist. During the first year, Twitter will not take any cut from the subscription fees, demonstrating their commitment to supporting content creators. However, Apple charges a 30% app store fee for any purchases during the first year, which affects creators using Twitter’s mobile app. From the second year onwards, Twitter will take a 15% cut, while Apple’s fee decreases to 15%. Elon Musk’s involvement includes a 15% cut from the second year as well, ensuring creators receive a consistent 70% share of the subscription revenue over time.

Conclusion: Twitter’s recent changes to promote subscriptions and exclusive content demonstrate their dedication to cultivating a content-friendly platform. By providing affordable subscription options, introducing new subscription features, and establishing a revenue model that benefits content creators, Twitter aims to drive engagement and revenue without relying solely on advertising. As these updates roll out and more users subscribe to their favorite content creators, Twitter anticipates a boost in revenue and the continued growth of its platform as a content hub.

Source: Changes on Twitter website

Note: Only twitter blue users can setup subscriptions

Twitter's recent changes aimed at promoting subscriptions and exclusive content have stirred mixed emotions, especially with Elon Musk's involvement in the company. Critics argue that these changes prioritize profit over user experience, potentially alienating users and content creators who are not inclined towards subscription-based models. Let's take a closer look at the updates and their potential implications for Twitter's revenue and user engagement.

The reintroduction of super followers as subscriptions following Elon Musk's acquisition in late 2022 raises concerns about the direction in which Twitter is heading. Critics argue that this move emphasizes monetization at the expense of fostering an open and inclusive platform. By driving up revenue without relying on advertisements, Twitter risks transforming into a gated community, where exclusive content becomes the norm, leaving non-subscribing users with limited access to the content they once enjoyed freely.

While the *subscribe* button's visibility at the top of tweets in the web app may seem convenient, some users worry about the increasing prominence of subscription-based content. This emphasis could undermine the organic and open nature of Twitter, turning it into a platform primarily focused on driving subscription revenue rather than fostering meaningful interactions and conversations among users.

Twitter's *Subscribe to unlock* button, which partially reveals subscriber-only tweets while blurring the rest, adds an element of exclusivity. However, critics argue that this approach can create a divide between subscribing and non-subscribing users, further fragmenting the platform's user base. The increasing prevalence of locked content may discourage engagement and limit the accessibility of information, hindering Twitter's original purpose as a democratic and open information-sharing platform.

Concerns also arise regarding the revenue model surrounding subscriptions. While Twitter initially refrains from taking a cut during the first year, the 30% app store fee imposed by Apple for any purchases could pose a challenge for content creators relying on Twitter's mobile app. Furthermore, the introduction of a 15% cut from the second year, both from Twitter and Elon Musk, raises questions about the sustainability of content creators' income in the long run.

With these recent changes, Twitter risks alienating a significant portion of its user base and losing the open and dynamic nature that attracted users in the first place. Critics argue that the platform's focus on driving subscription revenue may undermine the free and open exchange of ideas, limit accessibility to content, and diminish user engagement. As Twitter continues down this path, the future of the platform remains uncertain, raising concerns among those who value the platform's original ethos.

subscriptions twitterblue

Comments powered by Disqus.

Further Reading...

X >

Get Paid for Tweets! Twitter lowers Subscriptions Sign up to 500 followers

X >

Twitter Subscriptions now available all over the world for Twitter Blue users

X >

Twitter working on Subscribe to Unlock button to see tweets from creators

X >

Twitter will share replies ad revenue with creators for posts since Feb 2023

X >

Twitter to offer Subscriber Emails to creators when they leave the platform

~198.4 Billions

As of: 2024-05-04 08:12

~198.4 Billions

As of: 2024-05-04 08:12