Once upon a time, not too long ago, the blue checkmark was one of the most sought-after symbols on social media. It became a status symbol on platforms like Twitter, reserved for public figures, celebrities, influencers, and brands. Having the blue checkmark not only confirmed their identity but also elevated their presence, making them more visible and reputable. It was seen as a mark of prestige and legitimacy, setting verified accounts apart from the millions of other users.
I was verified on Twitter back when it was still called Twitter, and so was The Apple Post. Having two separate accounts with the blue checkmark resulted in a significant boost in followers and overall account growth. For instance, The Apple Post once topped the Twitter Trending feed, and I personally noticed much more interaction with my tweets after becoming verified.
Before Elon Musk’s turbulent takeover of Twitter, many users and aspiring influencers coveted the checkmark because it often led to increased followers, engagement, and collaboration opportunities. However, now that the once-coveted blue badge can be bought for the price of a large Big Mac meal at McDonald’s, it has lost much of its value. Despite this, X is relentless in trying to get users to buy it at every opportunity.
I don’t use X very much anymore, but whenever I do log in, I’m bombarded with prompts to subscribe and receive a blue badge—something I once had for free. These pushy subscribe prompts appear on my feed, profile, and even in the Settings page. It got me thinking: why would anyone want a blue badge now that they are so widely accessible?
When you think of the old desirability of a blue badge and all the perks that came with its exclusivity and prestige, it’s clear that much has changed. Now that anyone can buy a blue badge, what remains of the desire to have one? What’s the reasoning behind actually subscribing to it? Surely all it shows is that you’re willing to pay for X, pretending to have all the perks that came with verification back when it actually meant something.
In the end, X seems to be desperately pushing its users to buy a blue badge, but the irony is hard to ignore: by making it so easily attainable, they’ve killed the very desire they hope to capitalise on. The blue checkmark was once a symbol of status and recognition, but now it’s little more than a product to be bought, devoid of the prestige it once held. So, the real question is: why would anyone want one now? X might be trying hard to sell it, but do they not realise they’ve made it meaningless? It seems they’re banking on nostalgia and the memory of what the badge used to represent, but in doing so, they’ve only underscored how far it’s fallen from grace.
