Twitter is set to charge businesses $1,000 a month for brand verification, as it continues to look to earn revenue on formally free services under new owner Elon Musk.
The steep new proposed price for gold verification badges — which were introduced late last year by Musk — was first reported by social media consultant Matt Navarra, who viewed internal company documents, The Information reported Saturday.
Affiliated business accounts would be charged an additional $50 a month, according to the reports, which noted the pricing structure had not yet been finalized.
Brands that refused to fork over the four-figure monthly fee would reportedly have their gold badges removed, the outlet said.
Twitter has launched an $8-a-month verification program for non-notable users who want a blue checkmark on the platform — a status symbol previously only available to celebrities, politicians and journalists.
Under the new paradigm, government officials are verified by grey checkmarks, which are free of charge.
The cash grabs come as the site’s advertising revenue plunged by 35% in the fourth quarter of 2022 as advertisers fled following Musk’s $44 billion acquisition.
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