In a nutshell: The problem with bots on X/Twitter

The emergence of bots – automated accounts – on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) has become an ongoing problem. These bots obscure real human interactions, influence opinions, and can reduce the overall value of a social media platform. Elon Musk has now suggested a potential solution that might surprise some: introducing a paywall.

Musk's radical suggestion: make X/Twitter pay

Elon Musk believes the best way to stem the tide of bots is to make the service paid. During a livestream on X himself, he expressed that a small monthly amount could make the platform unviable for automated accounts. However, details about the exact fee structure are missing, but there is talk of “several US dollars” per month.

Premium subscription: Benefits against payment

Since Musk took over Twitter, the short messaging service's paid premium service has steadily expanded. Users who pay for it receive, among other things, the benefit of having their posts prioritized on the platform.

In conversation with Netanyahu: More than just paywall issues

Musk's statement about the paywall came during a public conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The conversation served to distract both parties from other topics, including allegations of anti-Semitism against Musk. Netanyahu expressed hope that Musk could find ways to combat anti-Semitism on the platform.

Old idea in a new guise?

The idea of ​​making Twitter payable is not new. Shortly after Musk took over, there were corresponding considerations. Musk has big plans for the service, including transforming X into an all-in-one app. If this vision becomes a reality, the platform could receive payment information from all active users.

Growing user numbers and new metrics

Musk stated that X currently has 550 million monthly users who publish 100 to 200 million posts daily. Comparing this to the numbers published before the acquisition reveals differences in the metrics reported.

Conclusion

Introducing a paywall could be an interesting solution to combat the bot problem on X/Twitter. However, it remains to be seen how the community will react to such radical changes and whether they can achieve the desired effect.

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