Twitter users to lose blue checkmarks from April 1 unless subscribed to Twitter Blue

Starting April 1, US microblogging site Twitter will be winding down its legacy verification programme and accounts that were verified under the previous criteria will not retain a blue checkmark unless they are subscribed to Twitter Blue, the company said on its website on March 24.

The service launched in India on February 8, available for a monthly fee of Rs 650 on the web and Rs 900 on mobile devices. This works out to Rs. 7,800 per year on the web and Rs. 10,800 per year on mobile devices.

On Friday, Indian Twitter users could see an offer on their web browser, an annual plan touted to save 12% of the subscription fee, at Rs. 6,800 per year billed annually. This worked out to Rs. 566.67 per month.



On February 10, ET had reported that Twitter users in India largely gave a thumbs down to Twitter Blue, saying the prices were steep by Indian standards. Users had said the blue checkmark had little value-add beyond ‘bragging rights’. However, public figures and organizations stand to benefit from the premium offering, they had said.


Twitter Blue is now available globally and the users can get blue verified for $7 a month if they sign up via web browser. Individual Twitter users who have verified blue check marks need to pay $8 a month in the US via the web and $11 a month through in-app payment on iOS and Android.

Prior to this change, Twitter had about 420,000 verified accounts. Brands and organisations will have to sign up for a significantly pricier 'Verified for Organisations' programme that starts offering subscriptions at $1,000 per month.


These accounts will receive a gold checkmark and square avatar if they are a business or non-profit. Government accounts now have a gray check-mark.

Organisations can also choose to affiliate any individual or entity associated with them for an additional $50 per month per affiliate account.

An affiliated account receives the verification mark as well as an affiliate badge (a small image of their parent company's profile picture) displayed next to their checkmark.

Twitter Blue subscribers will be allowed to create long tweets of up to 4,000 characters. They will also see 50% fewer ads in their home timeline.