• Musk offered two X subscription choices: one with all features and ads, and a pricier option without ads.
• The “Not a Bot” subscription method aims to reduce spam, platform manipulation, and bot activity.
• Various major tech companies have explored a mix of ad-supported and subscription models.

“One is lower cost with all features but no reduction in ads, and the other is more expensive but has no ads,” Musk posted on X.

Musk, who assumed control of the platform in October 2022, has been working on increasing revenue by implementing user charges and luring back advertisers. Advertisers had ceased buying ads after Musk terminated most employees and disbanded content moderation teams.

Musk has acknowledged that the platform’s revenue has suffered and has attributed this decline to pressure from activists influencing advertisers.

Although he didn’t offer specific subscription plan details, a recent test case by X indicated that users who choose not to pay for the service may face certain limitations.

As a test case, X initiated a charge of $1 for new users in New Zealand and the Philippines to access the platform.

New users who decide not to subscribe will have limited functionality, allowing them to perform “read-only” actions like reading posts, watching videos, and following accounts, as stated on the company’s website.

The platform’s “Not a Bot” subscription method is designed to minimize spam, platform manipulation, and bot activity.

Other major tech companies have also explored a combination of ad-supported and subscription models. For example, Alphabet’s YouTube offers both paid and free, ad-supported options, while Netflix’s ad-supported plans are available but at a lower cost.

YouTube, much like X, features user-generated content and shares a portion of its subscription revenue with creators. However, X, which also shares some of its ad revenue with content creators, has not disclosed whether content creators will be compensated in ad-free subscription models.

To generate revenue, Musk introduced an $8 per month blue check subscription service and provided discounts to companies for advertising on the platform.

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However, due to criticism regarding insufficient content moderation, advertisers were reluctant to have their ads displayed alongside inappropriate content.