TweetDeck has taken a significant step by transitioning behind a paywall. Platform X rolled out this change on Tuesday, leaving users redirected to a paid-subscription signup page when attempting to access TweetDeck.
Platform X initially announced the decision in July, revealing that TweetDeck’s access would be limited to “verified” account holders starting this month. With the transition now in effect, those wishing to use the service, which has been rebranded as X Pro, must pay an annual fee of $84 to secure Platform X’s distinctive blue verification checkmark.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk acquired Twitter X just last year, and since then, the company has been actively exploring various avenues to boost its revenue streams. These efforts have included workforce reductions and a heightened emphasis on attracting paid subscriptions.
Only last week, CEO Linda Yaccarino stated that the company is on the cusp of breaking even and has plans to rebuild its workforce, which had been scaled down under Musk’s leadership.
Most of Platform X’s verified users have obtained the coveted blue verification checkmark through payments. However, Musk has personally granted this verification badge to a select few. TweetDeck, introduced over a decade ago, boasts a unique column-based message display, offering distinct search and posting features compared to the platform’s main website or app.
Cast your mind back to 2011, when Twitter acquired the London-based TweetDeck for an estimated $40 million – as reported by tech media of that time. The application’s journey from then to now reflects the evolving landscape of social media and the strategies companies employ to sustain profitability.
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