Platform X (formerly Twitter) is preparing to launch an inactive username marketplace, where Premium subscribers will be able to either apply for certain names for free or purchase rare options for a fixed price.
Platform X (formerly Twitter) is preparing to launch an inactive username marketplace, where Premium subscribers will be able to either apply for certain names for free or purchase rare options for a fixed price.
As TechCrunch reports, the marketplace will feature two categories. «Priority» nicknames are full names, long phrases, or character combinations like @GabrielJones, @PizzaEater, or @ParadoxAI. They can be requested for free by Premium+ and Premium Business, and upon approval, X will transfer the new handle to the account and keep the old one so that no one else picks it up. If the user unsubscribes, the old name returns to the page after 30 days. «Rare» nicknames are short, common, or culturally significant words like @Pizza, @Tom, or @One. They are not issued through a standard form: access will be opened at public drops with competitive bidding or through direct, pre-evaluated sales by invitation.
The application process is simple: X promises a review in about three business days, and the selection criteria for drops will take into account the user’s contribution history on the platform, the assignment of the chosen name, reach and engagement. In cases where the desired handle does not appear on the list, there will be a «Watchlist» with the ability to register interest and wait for a notification if the name becomes available. The company explicitly states that it seeks to monetize the demand for short and recognizable names and, at the same time, increase the value of Premium subscriptions, as direct sales and free transfers within the program should stimulate account renewals and return activity.
The nickname market has existed in the «shadow» for many years due to resale and fraudulent schemes. The official marketplace translates this demand into the legal field, but brings to the fore other issues: transparency of criteria, protection of brands and public figures, appeal mechanisms, and the balance between monetization and accessibility of names for ordinary users. How quickly X writes down the rules and demonstrates understandable moderation practices will determine the trust in the new model and the willingness of the audience to pay for the desired @.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how French prosecutors are investigating whether Platform X (formerly Twitter) could have influenced political processes through changes to its recommendation and data collection algorithms.
