Current Twitter Verification Cost and Subscription Tiers
As of the latest publicly reported pricing, Twitter Blue rebranded to X Premium, with the monthly subscription cost for individual users set at $16 per month on web and $11 per month on mobile via the web interface, while the annual plan is priced at $168 per year on web and $118 per year on mobile Forbes. The platform also offers a higher-tier plan for businesses, which includes additional features such as longer video uploads, custom app colors, and increased revenue share opportunities, with pricing structured to target organizations rather than individual users.
The verification badge, previously a free model based on notable public interest, shifted to a paid subscription model in late 2022, and the cost has since been adjusted multiple times Forbes. The current fee structure aims to monetize the blue checkmark, with the basic tier granting a verified badge, longer posts, and fewer ads, while the business tier adds analytics and priority support.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
Individual users must subscribe to the paid plan to receive the verification badge, with no separate application fee outside the subscription cost X Support. The process requires a verified phone number, a profile photo, a header image, and a minimum account age, with the platform also enforcing a real-name policy and reviewing accounts for policy violations before granting the badge.
For organizations and businesses, the application involves additional steps, including providing documentation that proves the entity is a registered business, with the business tier costing more than the individual plan X Support. The platform uses a tiered eligibility system where government officials, multilateral organizations, and brands can apply through a dedicated business portal, with verification tied directly to active subscription payments.
Impact on Platform Authenticity and User Trust
The shift to a paid verification model has changed how users perceive the blue checkmark, with the badge now signaling a paid subscription rather than notability or authenticity SEC. This has led to a significant increase in impersonation attempts and confusion among users, prompting the platform to implement additional labels for government and official accounts to differentiate them from paid subscribers.
Security researchers and media outlets have documented a rise in phishing and misinformation linked to verified accounts, with the cost of verification becoming a factor in trust metrics used by advertisers and news consumers SEC. The platform continues to update its policies to combat abuse, including stricter enforcement of impersonation rules and new visibility labels for business and government accounts.