Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced a significant policy change regarding its verification system. The platform will now offer free blue ticks to users with more than 2,500 followers, effectively marking a shift in the criteria for verification from paid subscriptions to influence and follower count. Those with over 5,000 followers will gain access to Premium+, which includes an ad-free experience and greater tweet visibility. This move aims to democratize the verification process, which previously favored celebrities and government officials, and addresses the platform’s attempt to enhance user engagement and combat bots.

The decision has generated mixed reactions among the platform’s users. Notable figures, such as actress Yvette Nicole Brown, expressed confusion over receiving a blue tick without payment, highlighting a lack of clarity in the new policy. Moreover, some users are reportedly seeking ways to remove the verification mark, perceiving it as an endorsement of X’s subscription model and Musk’s ownership.

Amid these changes, X continues to tackle challenges related to content moderation, misinformation, and the departure of major advertisers like IBM and NBCUniversal due to concerns over ad placement near controversial content. The reintroduction of complimentary blue checks and the adjustment of verification criteria underscore the evolving nature of social media verification under Musk’s tenure, sparking ongoing debates about the platform’s direction and the significance of the blue check mark.