In a significant shift from its previous approach, Twitter has put an end to its traditional blue check mark verification system. As the social media giant transitions to a paid verification model, the platform has experienced a degree of chaos, with CEO Elon Musk even stepping in to cover the verification costs for some celebrities who have declined to pay for the service themselves.
A notable development arising from this upheaval is that Twitter now seemingly requires advertisers to possess a verified account. Several users, including social media expert Matt Navarra, have shared screenshots of an email allegedly sent by Twitter, which states that as of April 21, verified checkmarks will be mandatory for continuing to run ads on the platform.
The email outlines Twitter’s aim to improve the platform through verification, stating that starting April 21, an account must have a verified checkmark or subscribe to either Twitter Blue or Verified Organizations to continue running ads on the platform. Business accounts spending over $1,000 per month will either already have a gold checkmark or receive one soon, ensuring uninterrupted access to advertising.
This change is in line with Twitter’s broader verification strategy, which seeks to elevate the quality of content and enhance user experience for both regular users and advertisers. This approach also supports Twitter’s ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent accounts and bots.
By subscribing to either of these services, users will be verified by Twitter as a real person and/or business. Subscribers can look forward to a more visible organic presence and access to an expanded range of creative tools.
Although Elon Musk has been emphasizing subscriptions as a key revenue driver while advertisers depart the platform, it is evident that Twitter still seeks (and needs) advertising revenue. The platform’s top advertisers, those spending $1,000 monthly, already receive a complimentary gold checkmark, identifying them as an official business account.
Currently, there is no official information on Twitter’s ads account pages indicating that only verified accounts will be able to advertise. However, requiring verification for advertisers could help reduce spam and deter malicious actors from the platform. To be truly effective, this measure would need stringent vetting beyond simply requiring a credit card and phone number, as the $8 monthly fee might not be a significant deterrent on its own.
In the future, those wishing to post an ad or promote a tweet will likely need to pay $8 per month for Twitter Blue or $1,000 per month to be recognized as a verified organization. One likely exception will be grey checkmark accounts, which are reserved for official government entities and related organizations, such as agencies, embassies, and parliaments.
