It makes sense why X would charge a $1 fee, but that doesn’t make it a good idea
Oct 19, 2023
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The podcast discusses X's pilot program of charging a $1 fee to deter bots, and questions the value of paying for social media. It also covers topics such as the updated United Airlines boarding process and the world's hottest pepper.
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Quick takeaways
X is piloting a $1 annual fee to combat bot and spam issues on the platform, but there are concerns about charging for previously free features and doubts about its effectiveness.
The introduction of the Not A Bot program raises questions about its alignment with the platform's core purpose and users' willingness to financially support a platform facing declining traffic and revenue.
Deep dives
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Twitter introduces Not A Bot program to combat spam and bots
Twitter, now known as X, has launched the Not A Bot program in the Philippines and New Zealand. New users in these countries will be prompted to subscribe for an annual fee of $1 to access features such as posting, replying, reposting, and bookmarking. Those who choose not to subscribe can only have a read-only account, limiting their interactions on the platform. The program aims to address the bot and spam issue that has plagued the platform, although some skepticism remains about whether charging for basic functions will be an effective solution.
Challenges and concerns with Twitter's new program
The introduction of the Not A Bot program on X is met with mixed reactions. While the $1 annual fee seems affordable, there are concerns about charging for features that were previously free. Some users question whether this monetization model aligns with the core purpose of the platform, which is to facilitate conversations. Furthermore, doubts persist about the effectiveness of the program in combating bots and spam, especially given the reduced staff and other security concerns on the platform. The program's rollout also raises questions about users' willingness to financially support a platform that has faced declining traffic and advertising revenue.
X is piloting a $1 annual fee to ensure its users are actual humans, not bots, and there’s simply gotta be a better way. We’re not about to start paying for social media usage over here and we’ll tell you why. Plus: An updated United Airlines boarding process and a new pepper becomes the world’s hottest.
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