Experts state that digital communication environments are places where identity abuses frequently occur, emphasizing the importance of Twitter's verification badge and checkmark verification process to determine whether accounts belonging to important individuals and institutions are real. Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication Dr. Lecturer Ceren Acun highlights that the checkmark badge not only creates credibility in terms of individual or corporate identity but also increases recognition.
With businessman Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, one of the most widely used social media platforms on a global scale, many changes continue to be discussed and debated on the platform. Users paying for the blue checkmark feature is among the most talked about and debated topics. While users paying 8 dollars monthly for the blue checkmark is on the agenda, with the new update, blue checkmarks began to be given to personal accounts, gold checkmarks to government accounts, and gray checkmarks to company accounts.
Making evaluations on the subject, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication New Media and Communication Department Dr. Lecturer Ceren Acun said that the checkmark signifies authenticity.
The Checkmark Signifies Authenticity
Dr. Lecturer Ceren Acun stated that Twitter, which has reached over 300 million active users with a constantly increasing momentum since its establishment in 2006, is one of the most popular and preferred social media platforms in our lives, and said, “One of the prominent features of this application, which allows information to circulate interpersonally in fast and instant flows in our age, is, as is known, the blue checkmark or blue verification badge. Having a blue checkmark on Twitter means, first and foremost, a confirmation of authenticity. We know that while digital communication environments develop and expand individuals' forms of expression, they are also places where identity abuses frequently occur and are encountered. For this reason, Twitter operates with such an account verification process to determine whether accounts belonging to public figures, important individuals, and institutions are real.”
As Recognition Increases, More People Are Reached
Dr. Lecturer Ceren Acun stated that the verification badge located next to the username provides a number of important advantages and privileges to its users, and said, “For example, the blue checkmark badge not only creates credibility in terms of individual or corporate identity but also increases recognition. As recognition increases, it becomes possible to reach more people. Thus, all kinds of ideas, products, and information desired to be expressed, presented, and shared meet with a large number of users, sometimes even gaining a place on the agenda, and even achieving a widespread reach that exceeds the boundaries of the platform.”
Blue Checkmark Holders Will Have to Pay a Fee
Dr. Lecturer Ceren Acun reminded that one of the most talked-about topics in recent weeks was the step taken by American businessman Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter this year, regarding the monetization of the blue checkmark feature in the application, and concluded her words as follows:
“According to this highly debated move, a monthly fee of 8 dollars will now be requested for the blue badge, which was previously obtained without any charge. Moreover, this paid subscription, or the new Twitter Blue, mentioned by Musk, requires accounts that previously had a blue checkmark to make the same payment to avoid losing their badges. Musk stated in a tweet thread that the innovation would provide users with priority in searches, mentions, and replies, give them the privilege of sharing longer videos and audio, and make it possible to see up to half as many ads compared to those without a checkmark. On the other hand, although Musk stated that he aims to prevent bot and troll accounts with this new subscription model, the changes have not created the same excitement among existing users in general. Objections regarding the fee continue to run parallel with objections to the restriction of communication freedom or concerns that Twitter will become increasingly commercialized.”