Twitter Verified Accounts Have a New Description

Twitter has once again changed the description of verified accounts, no longer mentioning the two paths to verification: legacy and Twitter Blue.

Verification Background

Elon Musk has made notable changes to Twitter. One of which is requiring users to pay for verification. In the past, verified users were notable figures. Its primary use was to prove users were who they claimed to be. Now, blue checkmarks are available if they have been bought for a monthly fee. Gold checkmarks signify official organizations and grey checkmarks denote government officials. 

Musk removed legacy verified accounts on April 20. However, the CEO did explain that he personally subscribed to Twitter Blue for celebrities such as LeBron James and Stephen King. Other celebrities have also been given the free checkmark to promote Blue.

You’re welcome namaste 🙏

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023

Some legacy verified accounts shared that they felt that the “gift” undermined their credibility, as they had spoken out against paying for Twitter Blue. Others online feel as if it is a false endorsement of the subscription service.

Verification Descriptions

Since Twitter Blue’s launch, accounts with the blue checkmark had the description which read “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue.” Legacy verified accounts had the description, “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”

After legacy verification was removed, all accounts with the checkmark read, “This account is verified because it’s subscribed to Twitter Blue or is a legacy-verified account.” The lack of differentiation makes it harder to deem who is “notable” and who simply is subscribed to Blue.

Twitter has once again changed the blue checkmarks description. It now reads, “This account is verified.” Some online have speculated this is because of the potential problems the unclear description may have caused. For example, claims of false advertisement and endorsement by those who were gifted a checkmark.

They changed the verified description. Lol. Too late. They’ve been false advertising for weeks that many of us bought twitter Blue and verified a phone number. Comedy. pic.twitter.com/zbKBU7CrKk

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) May 3, 2023

The Future of Twitter

Verification has been a point of contention on Twitter. Recently, some users discovered that legacy verified accounts could get their checkmarks back by putting the phrase “blue check” in their bios.  

i thought this was a joke but i actually got my check back when i put “blue check” in my bio lmao pic.twitter.com/gv7QvLmq1V

— jarvis johnson (@jarvis) May 1, 2023

Twitter Blue was reportedly launched to raise income for the platform, however, its early months have not been overwhelmingly profitable. The future of Twitter Blue and Twitter itself is up in the air, as new changes are constantly being pushed to users.