Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has increased the price of its premium-plus subscription in several markets. Effective December 21st, the top-tier plan now costs $22 per month in the United States, a notable increase from the previous price of $16. This price adjustment reflects X’s ongoing efforts to enhance creator compensation and platform sustainability. The pricing for the basic and premium tiers remains unchanged at $3 and $8 respectively.
This change in pricing structure follows X’s revised revenue-sharing model implemented in October. This new model prioritizes direct contributions from subscription fees towards creator payouts. The focus has shifted to rewarding creators based on content quality and user engagement, rather than solely relying on ad revenue. This strategy aims to incentivize high-quality content and foster a more robust creator ecosystem on the platform.
The new pricing will apply to all new premium-plus subscribers. Existing subscribers will maintain their current rate until January 20th, providing a grace period before the adjusted pricing takes effect.
X’s premium-plus subscription offers several benefits, including an ad-free browsing experience, expanded access to the Grok AI chatbot, and utilization of Radar. Radar provides real-time analytics on emerging trends through keyword tracking, empowering users with valuable insights and market intelligence. These features are designed to enhance user experience and provide premium tools for content creation and analysis.
This move to increase subscription pricing underscores Elon Musk’s broader strategy to diversify revenue streams for X. Historically reliant on advertising revenue, the platform is now exploring subscription models as a crucial component for sustainable growth and profitability. By prioritizing subscription revenue, X aims to reduce dependence on traditional advertising models and invest in features that benefit both creators and users. This shift aligns with broader industry trends towards subscription-based services and creator economies.
The price increase for the premium-plus tier signifies a strategic move by X to bolster its financial foundation and prioritize creator compensation. The long-term success of this pricing adjustment will depend on user adoption and the platform’s ability to consistently deliver valuable features that justify the increased cost.
