X grants verifications to people with more than 2,500 Premium followers!

An Unexpected Movement of Blue Checks on the X Platform Sparks Mixed Reactions Among Journalists and Influential Users.

A Gift of Verification

It appears that the X platform has begun awarding blue checks to accounts with more than 2,500 Premium followers, catching many journalists and other users off guard. Some have shared messages showing that this upgrade was intentional and not accidental.

A New Approach

According to X, accounts with more than 2,500 verified followers (Paid Premium or Premium+ accounts) benefit from Premium features for free, while those with more than 5,000 followers gain free access to the Premium+ level without ads. Previously, only users with a large number of followers (in the millions), as well as celebrities and media companies, could obtain free Premium verifications.

An Emerging Trend

This new initiative seems aimed at including more influential but less publicly visible users, such as journalists, into the verified circle on X. It appears that X is seeking to improve its credibility by welcoming more news professionals into its verified community.

Possible Motives

What motivated this sudden change? It seems that X perceives a need to have more verified journalists on its platform. Following various recent events, some users have criticized X for no longer being a reliable source for urgent news, unlike Twitter.

Impact on Users

X’s algorithms seem to prioritize the content and responses of verified users, marginalizing journalists and other credible sources of information. Dismissive project promoters or less influential users can thus take center stage, relegating experienced journalists to the background.

A Paradox of the Bluecheck

With blue verification sometimes becoming a mark of shame, many users who have regained their verified status are not necessarily pleased. Some even express their dissatisfaction and desire to detach themselves from it.

Contrasting Reactions

Tweets like "Damn, I was verified forcibly. How can I cancel this," from @emptywheel, or "Oh no, I became a bluecheck, promoter of shibacoin," from Katie Notopoulos, clearly illustrate the variety of reactions to this unexpected change.

A Changing Landscape?

In summary, X’s move to verify more accounts with a Premium follower base represents a significant shift in the platform’s verification policy. While journalists seek to maintain their credibility on social media, this development raises questions about the value and impact of blue checks in today’s digital landscape.