For years, Twitter users have jokingly asked for a Twitter membership to add some of their most requested features. Things like editable tweets, removing ads, verifying, etc. have all been at the top of the most requested list for years. While Twitter doesn’t give users everything they want with Twitter Blue, it does show that the company is listening to the feedback.
Available in just two countries since early June 2021, this marks the first foray by a large social media company into a subscription-like service. Will it be successful? Only time will tell, but it is something the entire social industry at large is keeping a close eye on.
What is Twitter Blue?
Twitter tags Twitter blue as its “first iteration” or an early stage of a more cohesive experience for its users. For now, it looks like Twitter wants to roll out Blue features slowly as they continue to gather feedback to help determine what steps to take in the future. This slow and steady approach can be frustrating for die-hard Twitter users clamoring for new features, but it’s the right approach. While the “edit” button is still only available in our hopes and dreams, there are some really exciting new features.
Bookmark folders
If you’re looking for an easier way to organize all your saved content, bookmark folders are here to help. With folders, you can now organize all your Tweets in a way that helps you search efficiently and find exactly what you need when you need it.
Cancel Tweet
The edit button isn’t, but Cancel Tweet helps you quickly correct a typo. Forgot to tag someone or tag the wrong person? Undo Tweets offers a customizable timer of up to 30 seconds so you can “Undo” any Tweet, reply, or thread that is on your timeline. The best part is that you can preview what your Tweet will look like before posting it on the Twitterverse.
Reader Mode
Most internet users have probably tried or accidentally entered Reader Mode at least once in their browser. In the case of Twitter Blue, Reader Mode will eliminate the “noise” to help you keep up with long threads by converting them to an easy-to-read format, so content enjoyment is much smoother than ever.
In addition to the above features, Twitter also said that Twitter Blue subscribers will receive “dedicated subscription customer support“. While it’s not yet clear exactly what this means, these users will likely receive priority access with tickets, troubleshooting, harassment complaints, etc. Last but not least is the support for color themes and custom icons. This applies to customers on the web and the app icon on any iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Price?
From June 2021, Twitter Blue was made available in Canada for $3.49 and $4.49 in Australia per month. As for the US, Twitter has already indicated that it will launch for $ 2.99 per month. Twitter Blue is likely to arrive in dozens of countries in the near future, so keep an eye on your region for up-to-date pricing.
How to register
Signing up for Twitter Blue is easy if it’s available in your area. To do this, on both iOS and Android, click on the hamburger menu icon. Tap Twitter Blue (if available), then follow the registration instructions. Twitter.com will also use the three-dot menu (instead of three lines). Tap on it and locate the option for Twitter Blue. If you don’t see it now outside of Canada or Australia, it will likely be a staggered launch for the rest of the world.
Verdict: Is Twitter Blue right for you?
Now, for the million dollar question: Is Twitter Blue right for you? If it included an “edit” button, the answer would probably be a resounding yes. Given the current feature set of Bookmarks, Reader Mode, and Cancel Tweet, that’s a more difficult question. On the one hand, it’s something you can do to support your favorite social network. That said, the feature set right now is pretty sparse, and none of the three main features or color themes are really worth the extra value.
This is especially true when you realize that you can still customize the icon via iOS 14. In the meantime, you can find out more about Twitter Spaces and how to use it.
