Twitter To Begin Removing Legacy Blue Checkmarks Next Week: The End of an Era Those wishing to keep their blue checkmark must sign up for Twitter Blue, a contentious subscription-based program that users can opt into for $8 a month.

By Emily Rella

It's the end of an era for legacy verified users on Twitter, though it's not surprising.

On April 1, Twitter will begin removing legacy verified blue checkmarks on profiles that were granted the once prestigious symbol in the pre-Musk Twitter era.

Because Twitter is an easy place to be anonymous (or a parody), Blue checkmarks were used to verify the profiles of public figures (celebrities, athletes, influencers), government officials, news organizations, journalists, and other noteworthy accounts to signify that the profile in question was, in fact, that person.

Related: More Than Half of Twitter's Top Advertisers Have Dropped Out, According to a New Report

The social media company announced the day of reckoning in a Tweet on Thursday.

Those wishing to keep their blue checkmark will have to sign up for Twitter Blue, a contentious subscription-based program that users can opt into for $8 a month. In addition to a blue check, subscribers will have the ability to edit Tweets, craft Tweets longer than 280 characters and upload videos up to 60 minutes long.

Musk also clarified in a follow-up Tweet from his personal account that any individual Twitter user whose account was affiliated with a verified organization would automatically receive verifications.

This would mean that individuals who either work for or are part of organizations given a gold checkmark, an automatic checkmark given by Twitter to official businesses, will be able to retain their verified status. Organizations with gold checks have received communications from Twitter indicating that a handful (or more) of employees can retain their blue check status at no cost.

Related: Twitter Launches Gold Check Mark With Relaunch of Subscription Program, Twitter Blue

Musk's overhaul of the verification system has been rocky.

Upon Twitter Blue's official rollout, chaos ensued as parody and impersonator accounts were buying checkmarks in an effort to dupe followers, which had damaging, real-world effects.

Shares of drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company, for example, plummeted after an account pretending to be the company's official account Tweeted out that insulin would be free.

But Musk doesn't seem to be backing down with the use of the subscription program.

Last month, he revealed that Twitter would begin sharing ad revenue with creators that were promoting ads, but in order to be eligible for a cut of the earnings, the creators must be subscribed to Twitter Blue.

Neither Musk nor Twitter has specified how long they estimate the process of removing legacy checkmarks to take.

Wavy Line
Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Editor's Pick

A Father Decided to Change When He Was in Prison on His Son's Birthday. Now His Nonprofit Helps Formerly Incarcerated Applicants Land 6-Figure Jobs.
Lock
A Teen Turned His Roblox Side Hustle Into a Multimillion-Dollar Company — Now He's Working With Karlie Kloss and Elton John
Lock
3 Mundane Tasks You Should Automate to Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff
Lock
The Next Time Someone Intimidates You, Here's What You Should Do
5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Related Topics

Business News

After Being Told They Could Work From Home Forever, Employees Made Major Life Changes. Then, a New CEO Ordered Them Back to the Office.

Farmers Group CEO Raul Vargas is facing backlash for the change, but he says being in the office brings more "collaboration" and "innovation."

Business Ideas

The 13 Best Jobs for People With ADHD

Want to find the perfect profession as a person with ADHD? Check out this review of the best jobs for people with ADHD if you need ideas.

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

Business News

Hedge Fund Pays NYC Interns $20,000 a Month on Average, Sent to Lavish Palm Beach Kickoff

Citadel is known for its over-the-top parties and company retreats.