Twitter’s Badge Roll‑Ride: From Gone to Gone‑Again
Just when you thought the “official” badge had vanished like a bad haircut, Twitter’s CEO Elon Musk pulled it back out of the hat. The same crowd that sprinkled brand imposters across the platform now sees a shiny marker on a few verified accounts, along with a side‑car of confusion: the subscription option to flaunt a blue check mark has mysteriously gone missing.
Why the “Official” Badge Made a Comeback
- Fake brand frolics: Within a month of opening the gates to paid checks at $8, fake accounts of big names—Tesla, SpaceX, Roblox, Nestle, Lockheed Martin—went viral.
- Impersonation Inc.: Twitter’s support fired a tweet saying, “To combat impersonation, we’ve added an ‘Official’ label to some accounts.” It was like a digital cease‑fire.
- Apology riot: Eli Lilly & Co sent out a heartfelt apology after a bogus tweet promised free insulin—talk about pricey marketing mishaps!
Professor Bauer’s Sharp Critique
“Twitter has worked hard to curb misinformation for years, and it feels like Elon’s new policies have turned the tables in mere weeks,” mused Prof. A.J. Bauer of the University of Alabama. In plain English, the blue-check gravy train seems to have stalled.
What’s Building the Buzz Around the Subscriptions?
- Pay-for-Check Gone Ghost: Many users have reported the option to sign up for Twitter Blue (subscription + verified blue badge) has vanished, leaving them puzzled—much like a DJ who cancels a concert.
- Warning: Reinstated Ban List: Musk declared users impersonating brands without tagging themselves as “parody” will face permanent suspensions. Fake Nintendo and BP accounts got the boot.
- Ad Exodus: Big hitters—General Motors, United Airlines—hollowed out their ads, citing “safety in random spots.” In response, Musk vowed to wield Twitter as a bastion for truth and knock out the fake account brigade.
Money Talk: The 2023 Forecast
Musk quietly whispered in his all‑hands email that 2023 will be “well‑positioned” despite a “rough economy.” Yet he also admitted that Twitter may not survive the looming downturn if it can’t boost subscription revenue to offset falling ad income.
Final Takeaway
If you’re still trying to read between the lines, Twitter’s been riding a merry‑go‑round of badges, bans, and subsidy speculation. The “official” badge has made a brief comeback, fake brands are hitting the headlines, and the subscription drama remains a cliffhanger. Stay tuned—you know they’ll keep changing the script.
