Twitter Inc CEO Elon Musk is likely to announce a fee of $20 per month for verified users to retain their verified badge (blue tick) on their profiles soon. Following this news, influencer conversations surged dramatically, reveals the Social Media Analytics Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Smitarani Tripathy, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Influencer sentiments were largely negative about the announcement to charge fees for being a verified user on Twitter. They opine that the ‘blue tick’ adds credibility to the individual’s profiles and remains relevant for influencers who want to amplify their profile, but do not think that journalists, academicians, and other small business accounts  will be willing to pay an annual charge to retain it.”

Below are a few of the most popular influencer opinions captured by the GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform:

1. Chris M Evans, Principal Analyst with Architecting IT, said that the blue tick adds no value to most of the users:

“I expect 90% of users will simply let the blue tick expire.  Perhaps even 95 or 99%, because it adds no value to most users.  I can also see celebs moving ever closer to instagram, rather than twitter, as a result.”

2. Soumitra Pathare, Director at CLMHP India, expects other users not willing to pay to explore other platforms :

“Doesn’t really matter to me. Happy to give up the blue tick & my account. Can think of so many worthy organizations in India who I could donate ₹20k/yr. The only folks left here will be those willing to pay..I  sure there will be other platforms to continue the conversation.

3. Chirag Chauhan, Founder of Chauhan & Co., Chartered Accountants, opined that the sole motive is profit earnings:

“Profit seems the sole motive when #ElonMusk decided to charge people for #BlueTick! Estimated existing blue tick earning 100 M$ Estimated new accounts ready to get blue tick 1000 M$”

4. Jamie Weir, Reporter at Sky Sports News, does not agree with blue tick worth US$240 annually:

“I would genuinely think less of someone willing to fork out $240 a year just to have a little blue tick after their name on this hellhole of an app. The height of vanity.”

5. Leo Kelion, Assistant Editor, Intellectual Capital at Baillie Gifford, has tweeted that it will not be affordable to pay US$20 every month by low paid authorities and others:
   
   “A blue tick verifies I’m who I claim to be. The value of that is to Twitter and other users. I can see a clear case for @elonmusk charging you to see if others have a tick. But not to retain it. Journalists, academics and other ‘low paid’ authorities aren’t going to pay $20/mth.”