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If you use Twitter, it’s likely you’ve spotted a range of new coloured ticks on the platform this week.
Twitter accounts can now feature a gold tick, a blue tick, a grey tick, or no tick at all next to their account name.
But what do these checkmarks actually mean? While the blue tick once indicated that an account belonged to someone noteable, it isn’t quite as straightforward as that any more.
Here, MailOnline explains Twitter’s new verification system after Elon Musk‘s takeover, and what the gold, grey and blue ticks now mean.
Twitter has relaunched ‘Twitter Blue’ – a subscription service that gives users a ‘Blue Tick’ of verification for a monthly fee
Blue ticks
Twitter Blue is a subscription service that gives users a ‘Blue Tick’ of verification for a monthly fee.
It currently costs $8 (£6.50) per month for those who purchase the service through the web, but $11 (£9) per month through Apple iOS.
Subscribers are offered a range of features not available to regular account holders, including the ability to edit tweets after posting.
It currently costs $8 (£6.50) per month for those who purchase the service through the web, but $11 (£9) per month through Apple iOS
This has long been requested by many users, although there are others who argue that it increases the potential for the spread of disinformation because a tweet could be altered after being widely shared.
Twitter said blue-tick subscribers will also see fewer adverts, have their tweets amplified above others, and be able to post and view longer, better quality videos.
However, not everyone who has a blue tick is paying for the Twitter Blue subscription service.
Before Musk took over, a blue tick was given out by Twitter for free to verify high-profile accounts and prove they were authentic.
Those who had one under the previous regime currently still have them, but now some of these users also have a message that appears if the tick is pressed.
It says the account is a ‘legacy verified account’ and ‘may or may not be notable’.
These will eventually be replaced when the new system is rolled out in full.
When this is completed, each Twitter Blue subscriber will receive the blue tick by their account name after their account has been reviewed and connected to a verified phone number.
Subscribing to Twitter Blue is now available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The social network said it planned to roll out Blue to more countries soon.
Why do Apple users have to pay more?
Neither the social network, nor its CEO Elon Musk, have provided an explanation as to why people with Apple devices are being charged more than others.
However, tension was apparent between the two companies last month after Musk claimed Apple ‘threatened to withhold Twitter’ from the App Store.
He has also previously said in tweets that he resents the commission fee Apple charges on in-app purchases, accusing the tech giant of applying a ‘hidden 30% tax’.
This would eat into his profit margins for Twitter Blue subscriptions bought through the iOS app and could be an explanation for the price hike.
What are the Gold ticks for?
In addition to the ‘Blue tick’, Twitter is also replacing the ‘official’ label with a gold checkmark on verified business accounts.
This includes the social network, with the platform’s official account itself having received a shiny new gold tick.
In addition to the ‘Blue tick’, Twitter is also replacing the ‘official’ label with a gold checkmark on verified business accounts
The Guinness World Records Twitter handle tweeted: ‘Does having a gold verification tick make us extra special @Twitter?’
Businesses have been celebrating the changes and the recognition that comes with this badge-of-honour.
Xbox, Marvel Entertainment and Sony are among the first few accounts to have the gold tick on Twitter, while the Guinness World Records Twitter handle tweeted: ‘Does having a gold verification tick make us extra special @Twitter?’
Specsavers also tweeted: ‘Our blue tick has turned gold’.
However, there was a slight hiccup in the rollout as Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge was briefly given a gold tick rather than a blue one, although this was later rectified.
There is no information regarding the prices of this new gold tick.
Specsavers also tweeted: ‘Our blue tick has turned gold’ (pictured)
However, there was a slight hiccup in the rollout as Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge was briefly given a gold tick rather than a blue one (pictured), although this was later rectified
And how about the Grey ticks?
In the same way that blue ticks are for people and gold for businesses, the grey tick will be for government accounts.
This hasn’t yet been introduced but Twitter said it was coming soon.
It means governmental bodies, such as the Department for Health in the UK and the US Department of Homeland Security, will likely soon have the grey tick distinction rather than just a verified blue tick.
In the same way that blue ticks are for people and gold for businesses, the grey tick will be for government accounts. It means governmental bodies, such as the Department for Health in the UK and the US Department of Homeland Security, will likely soon have the grey tick distinction rather than just a verified blue tick. This shows how it could look for organisations
Many Twitter users have praised the introduction of the various colours, saying it is helpful to see straight away who is a person as opposed to a business, organisation or government account.
Kyle Dunkerley tweeted: ‘Gold ticks for brands, blue ticks for people. I really like the visual distinction. It makes it super easy to see who’s advertising to you.’
In announcing the new verification system, Musk was succinct and to the point, saying: ‘Gold check for companies, grey check for government, blue for individuals (celebrity or not) and all verified accounts will be manually authenticated before check activates.’
If you enjoyed this article…
Read more about the Twitter CEO’s spat with Tim Cook with this piece on ‘Is Elon Musk declaring war with Apple?’
How your data from more than 70,000 websites is being shared with Twitter through an advertising tool
And a claim by Twitter’s former head of trust and safety that the platform is less safe under Musk
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