In 2021, Twitter launched a major new offering – Twitter Blue – that introduced exclusive premium features for paying subscribers. Twitter Blue represents the platform’s first foray into subscription models after relying entirely on advertising revenue for its first 15 years.
The launch of Twitter Blue opens up new revenue streams for the company while also providing an early preview of what a subscription-based social media future could look like.
With monthly and annual payment options, Twitter Blue aims to attract users willing to pay for enhanced features and customization. However, it also raises concerns about monetizing aspects of social media that have traditionally been free.
Table of Contents
Brief background on Twitter Blue – A new subscription service
Twitter Blue is a monthly subscription service that gives members access to features not available to regular users. Subscribers can test upcoming Twitter features, customize their interfaces in exclusive ways, and utilize premium tools.
Some of the key benefits of a Twitter Blue subscription include:
- Customizable app icons and theme colors – Subscribers can change the Twitter app icon and pick color schemes for a more personalized experience.
- Undo Tweet – This feature allows users a short window of time to recall tweets if they notice a mistake before it is posted publicly.
- Reader mode – Provides a streamlined, clutter-free article reading experience by removing ads and distractions.
- Ad-free articles – No more in-article ads interrupting the reading flow for subscribers.
- Custom navigation – Rearrange or bookmark items in your navigation bar for efficiency.
- Top Articles – See the most popular articles about a topic you’re interested in.
Twitter Blue is currently priced at $2.99 per month via web and iOS, while Android users pay slightly more at $4.99 monthly. Users must have a verified phone number connected to their Twitter account to qualify.
For now, Twitter Blue is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But its launch signals Twitter’s intention to increasingly supplement advertising revenue with paid subscriptions moving forward.
Also read: Benefits of Twitter Blue subscription
Steps to Subscribe to Twitter Blue
Check Your Eligibility
Before subscribing to Twitter Blue, you first need to check if you meet the eligibility criteria. As of now, Twitter Blue is only available in four countries – the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Unfortunately, if you reside in any other country, you will not be able to sign up for Twitter Blue. The service has not yet expanded globally. You can try using a VPN to mask your location, but this violates Twitter’s terms of service.
For those located in the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you can proceed to the next steps to subscribe to Twitter Blue and access exclusive features. But keep in mind eligibility may expand to other regions in the future as Twitter rolls out Blue worldwide.
Update to the Latest Twitter Version
To purchase Twitter Blue, your app or desktop site must be updated to the latest version with support for the in-app subscription.
On iOS, go to the App Store and check for any Twitter app updates. Make sure to install the most recent release. On Android, visit Google Play and tap Update next to the Twitter app if available.
On the desktop, reload your Twitter tab and the website should automatically refresh to the latest iteration. You can also clear your browser cache and then reload the page to force an update.
If your Twitter app or website is up-to-date, you will see options to subscribe to Twitter Blue. Using outdated versions can prevent you from purchasing Twitter Blue, so always keep your Twitter platforms updated to the latest releases.
Navigate to the Twitter Blue In-App Purchase Page
On iOS
- Open the Twitter app and tap your profile icon
- Go to Settings and Privacy > Subscriptions
- Subscribe to Twitter Blue here
On Android
- Open Twitter and tap your profile icon
- Go to the Store listing page
- Select Twitter Blue under Subscriptions
On Desktop
- Click your profile icon then Settings and Support
- Choose Twitter Blue from the left sidebar
This is where you can review subscription details and purchase access to exclusive Twitter Blue features.
Select Your Subscription Offer
You can choose between a monthly subscription at $2.99/month or a yearly subscription at $34.99/year for Twitter Blue.
The monthly plan allows more flexibility if you only want to try Twitter Blue temporarily. The annual plan gets you a small discount for paying yearly upfront.
Carefully review the exclusive features included with each tier to decide which billing cycle you prefer. Both options provide the same Twitter Blue benefits.
Enter Your Payment Details
To complete your Twitter Blue purchase, you’ll need to enter a valid credit card, PayPal, or other accepted payment method.
Make sure to carefully review the auto-renewal terms before submitting your details. By default, Twitter Blue will automatically renew each month or year depending on your selected billing cycle.
Your payment information is securely processed and encrypted. You can cancel auto-renewal anytime through your Account Settings if you decide to discontinue Twitter Blue.
Confirm Your Subscription
Before confirming your subscription, double-check that your billing details, subscription term, and total are correct. The confirmation page will summarize your Twitter Blue purchase.
Carefully review the confirmation prompt and make sure you understand that Twitter Blue will auto-renew unless canceled manually. This prevents accidental subscriptions.
Once confirmed, you’ll have instant access to Twitter Blue features! You can tweak your settings and customizations to take full advantage of an enhanced Twitter experience as a paid subscriber.
Remember you can manage or cancel your Twitter Blue membership anytime by accessing your subscription settings. But confirm your initial sign-up details carefully before purchasing access.
Using Twitter Blue Features
Tips on accessing and using features after subscribing
Once you have an active Twitter Blue subscription, you can start utilizing the various exclusive features not available to regular users. Here is an overview of some of the key Twitter Blue features and tips on accessing them:
Undo Tweet – This lets you retract tweets before they are published if you notice a mistake. You’ll have a customizable timer to confirm posting a tweet or undo it. Go to Settings > General > Undo Tweet to configure.
Custom App Icons – Change your Twitter app icon to one of various designs. On iOS go to Settings > Display and sound > App icon. On Android go to Settings > Display > App layout > App icon.
Reader Mode – For long articles, this provides a clean reading view by removing ads and clutter. Tap the glasses icon on articles.
Custom Navigation – Rearrange items in your bottom navigation bar or bookmark specific pages. Go to Settings > Navigation.
Ad-free Articles – Article previews will now hide promoted and suggested tweets. Full articles will remove in-article ads.
Top Articles – Get quick access to the most popular articles about topics you follow. Go to Settings > Top Articles to customize topics.
Theme Colors – Choose from color schemes for the Twitter app background, buttons, links, and highlights. Go to Settings > Display > Theme colors.
Refer to Twitter’s Help Center for details on finding all Twitter Blue features across platforms. Take time to customize your experience and tailor Twitter to your preferences as a paid subscriber.
Conclusion
Twitter Blue represents an exciting new era for the platform by introducing premium paid features for the first time. Subscribing gives you exclusive access to tools like Undo Tweet, custom icons, reader mode and more.
Here’s a quick recap of the main steps covered to subscribe to Twitter Blue:
- Check eligibility to confirm it’s available in your country.
- Update to the latest version of the Twitter app or desktop site.
- Navigate to the in-app subscription page to select Twitter Blue.
- Choose your preferred monthly or yearly billing plan.
- Securely enter your payment information.
- Review all details carefully before confirming your subscription.
Remember that you can cancel your Twitter Blue auto-renewal at any time through your account settings if you no longer want to pay for the service. For now, enjoy exploring the enhanced Twitter experience that a subscription provides!
The launch of Twitter Blue paves the way for more new premium features down the line. It will be interesting to see how the platform balances free and paid offerings moving forward.
