You may have heard about the news about Twitter chief executive officer Elon Musk announcing that the platform will start allowing users to offer subscriptions so that they can earn money through their content on Twitter. Apparently, this is opening a can of worms.
First, many Twitter netizens say this is a feature they have applied to before. Second, it is taking too long before they get the results of their application. Here’s the story.
Users can now offer subscriptions, earn on Twitter
Musk announced Thursday via tweets that the social media platform would let users offer content subscriptions should they wish to make money through the platform.
“Apply to offer your followers subscriptions of any material, from longform text to hours long video! Just tap on ‘Monetization’ in settings,” the Twitter CEO wrote on the platform.
He also posted another tweet explaining how this happens specifically.
He tweeted, “For the next 12 months, Twitter will keep none of the money. You will receive whatever money we receive, so that’s 70% for subscriptions on iOS & Android (they charge 30%) and ~92% on web (could be better, depending on payment processor).”
Musk added that Android and iOS fees would drop to 15 percent after the first year, and Twitter would add a small amount on top of those, depending on volume.
“We will also help promote your work. Our goal is to maximize creator prosperity. At any point, you can leave our platform and take your work with you. Easy in, easy out,” he further noted.
Not a new feature?
However, the comments section of these tweets by Musk is revealing more problems internally within the Twitter community. Some say this feature is not new and that they applied for it a long time ago, but are still not approved even until today, as of press time.
One Twitter netizen, @itzzzmad, who owns a verified account on the platform, commented, “I applied months ago and still have heard nothing. How long does it usually take? Lol”
More Twitter users are sharing the same sentiment.
“I don’t normally reply to any of this, but my application for subscriptions has been pending for over a year & a half (emoji) I got the option to apply before I was ever verified, when I was much smaller. Never been denied. Even after I got verified. Can’t cancel/reapply. Just limbo,” tweeted @widowo.
Other Twitter netizens and probably, content creators are also commenting against Musk’s statement that the platform will help them promote their work.
@11thJeff, who also owns a verified account on Twitter, said, “No deal, bro. I simply don’t trust you anymore.”
“How can we take our work with us if you own our work and it is used for further training data? Technically we own absolutely nothing if our writing is being used to train a model. How can writers opt out?” meanwhile, tweeted @sparklingruby as a reply to Musk’s post. On her Twitter profile, she says she is a social media analyst and political commentator.
For content creators earning money through the content they create and share online, is this a reason to celebrate? Or the other way around?
