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Twitter has recently updated the label attached to the verification check mark, making it difficult to differentiate between those who earned it and those who paid for it. The social media platform was supposed to remove the legacy verification check marks on April 1, but it seems to have postponed the plan. However, it has revised the label to read, "This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy verified account," making it virtually impossible to distinguish between two sets of verified accounts.
Previously, the label on the legacy verified accounts read, "This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable," while the Blue account's label read, "This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue." The distinction allowed users to identify those who earned their verification versus those who paid for it.
Many celebrities, including LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes II, Darius Slay, Monica Lewinsky, and William Shatner, have stated that they won't pay for a check mark. Over the weekend, the New York Times lost its verified check after it refused to pay for the verification service. Twitter CEO Elon Musk replied to users posting a meme about the publication not paying for verification, saying, "Oh okay, we'll take it off then."
Musk has also promised that after April 15, the "For You" algorithmic timeline will only show verified accounts along with the accounts a person follows. He also mentioned that Twitter will soon add the date of verification to user profiles.
It is worth noting that Musk has deleted a tweet saying that Twitter will give "a few weeks grace" to legacy verified account holders to subscribe to Twitter Blue before removing verification marks from those who don't pay. The deleted tweet also said that the social network will remove the checkmark if accounts specifically refuse to pay for Twitter Blue.
The social media giant is also reportedly working on a government ID verification feature for Blue subscribers, allowing them to hide their checkmarks.
In response to these developments, many Twitter users have expressed their frustration with the new labeling system. Some have posted side-by-side comparisons of the old and new labels, highlighting the confusing nature of the new language. Others have shared their opinions on the practice of paying for verification and the potential consequences for those who choose not to do so.
