Elon Musk and his social platform X have signaled a plan to charge new users for actions such as creating posts, saving bookmarks, and engaging with other posts through likes and comments. He outlined this idea in a recent statement.
According to Musk, a modest fee for newcomers would serve as a barrier against the relentless influx of automated accounts. He noted that today’s advanced AI systems and organized troll networks can often bypass basic verification, making spam and manipulation a persistent challenge on the platform.
Further clarification indicated that this requirement would apply only to first-time users. Those new to the platform would be able to access the core features free of charge for a limited period of time, specifically three months, before the fee would apply or be assessed differently.
The announcement about this potential change came in the context of ongoing discussions about limiting spam and bot activity. The aim, as described, is to create a more genuine interaction space where users can discuss, bookmark, and respond without being overwhelmed by automated or malicious activity.
Previously, related moves had been implemented in certain markets where an annual fee was charged to new users for basic platform activities such as liking posts, replying to comments, saving bookmarks, and publishing updates. The amounts in those regions translated to roughly one US dollar per year, reflecting local currency values at the time of the policy rollout. These regional implementations illustrate how platform controls may adapt to different regulatory environments and user bases while addressing the broader goal of reducing spam and bot engagement.
X Corp is the U.S. based company established to acquire Twitter and evolve its brand into X. The transition occurred in 2023 with a broad rebranding initiative completed in the following year, including changes to the platform’s name and visual identity from Twitter to X. The move represented a strategic shift aimed at expanding the platform’s capabilities and aligning with a broader vision for social connectivity on the internet. A number of observers have noted that such branding updates can influence user perception and engagement patterns across different markets, including North America and beyond.
A former American journalist has described Musk as entering a highly intense and volatile mode at times when discussing platform policy and public-facing changes. These comments reflect ongoing public scrutiny of leadership decisions within the company and how they might impact user experience and trust on X.