Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk is launching a marketplace to auction inactive X usernames.
- Only X Premium and Premium Business subscribers can participate.
- Rare usernames could sell for up to Rs 8 crore.
- X has removed 1.7 million spam bots from DMs to improve platform reliability.
Elon Musk is launching a new Handle Marketplace for platform X, allowing paid subscribers to purchase inactive usernames. This initiative aims to monetize millions of dormant accounts while combating spam.
The marketplace will be exclusive to X Premium and Premium Business subscribers. Usernames will be categorized into ‘priority’ (free for paid users) and ‘rare’ (sold via auction).
How the X Username Marketplace Works
Rare, unique usernames could fetch prices as high as Rs 8 crore based on demand and uniqueness. When users acquire a new username, their old one becomes inactive but remains unavailable to others.
If subscribers stop paying for X Premium, their premium username reverts to the standard version. This strategy aims to boost Premium subscriptions, which include access to Grok AI and advanced features.
X’s Ongoing Battle Against Spam
According to Nikita Bier, X’s head of product, the platform has removed over 1.7 million automated spam bots from direct messages. Musk has prioritized eliminating spam bots to enhance user experience and platform reliability.
Removing spam is critical for X to become a trusted platform for its millions of users worldwide.
