Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, everything has changed. The most notable change is the transformation of the blue checkmark from a free verification symbol into a paid feature within the X Premium subscription — previously known as Twitter Blue. In this simple guide, we explain everything about the subscription: the types, benefits, prices, and how to subscribe.
What is X Premium?
X Premium is a paid subscription service that grants you exclusive benefits on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Launched by the platform in late 2022 as a paid alternative to the old free verification, it has since evolved to include numerous benefits — from tweet editing to artificial intelligence.
The subscription is available in three tiers with varying benefits and prices: Premium, Premium Plus, and Premium+.
Types of X Premium Subscriptions
1. X Premium (Basic) — The Blue Checkmark 🟦
Price: Around $3 per month (via web) or $4 (via app).
- Blue Checkmark — A blue checkmark appears next to your name, indicating that your account is verified and subscribed to the service.
- Edit Button — Edit a tweet after posting (within one hour, up to 5 edits).
- Longer Tweets — Write up to 25,000 characters instead of 280.
- Longer Videos — Upload videos up to 3 hours long in high quality.
- Undo Tweet — A “Undo” button gives you 30 seconds to review a tweet before posting.
- Reader Mode — Converts long tweets into a readable text format without distractions.
- Custom Navigation Bar — Customize the icons in the bottom menu according to your preferences.
2. X Premium Plus (Plus) — More Benefits 🟦🟦
Price: Around $8 per month (web) or $11 (app).
- All benefits of Basic Premium.
- Fewer Ads — Half the number of ads that appear in your timeline.
- Video Downloads — Download videos directly from tweets.
- Priority in Replies — Your tweets appear higher in the replies and suggestions section.
- Advanced Analytics — In-depth statistics about your tweet performance.
- External Resume Link — Highlight your resume link with a custom text and color.
3. X Premium+ (Premium+) — Full Experience 🟦🟦🟦
Price: Around $16 per month (web) or $20 (app).
- All benefits of Premium Plus.
- Completely Ad-Free — Browse without any ads.
- Highest Priority in Replies — Your account gets the highest priority in visibility.
- Creator Hub — Integrated tools for content creators with detailed analytics.
- Grok AI — Full access to the AI assistant Grok from xAI, which can answer your questions, analyze, and search for information.
Grok Feature — X’s AI Assistant 🤖
One of the most powerful features of X Premium is Grok, the AI assistant developed by xAI (Elon Musk’s company). Grok can:
- Answer your questions in a direct and straightforward manner.
- Search for up-to-date information from tweets and news.
- Summarize long articles and topics.
- Help you write and improve tweets.
- Analyze uploaded images and documents.
Grok is available to Premium and Premium+ subscribers (with different usage terms).
Articles Feature 📄
A new feature that allows you to publish long-form articles directly on X instead of using thread tweets. You can write thousands of words with images and videos, and the article will appear in your profile and timeline. This is particularly useful for bloggers, journalists, and marketers.
Difference Between the Old and New Blue Checkmark
The old blue checkmark was a free verification
For prominent accounts (celebrities, politicians, journalists). Today, the blue checkmark means that the account owner is subscribed to Premium. This change has sparked a lot of controversy because some people associate the blue checkmark with credibility, but X confirms that the identity verification process still exists separately.
How to subscribe to X Premium?
- Open the X app or website
- Tap the menu (your profile icon)
- Select X Premium from the menu
- Choose the plan that suits you
- Pay via credit card or Apple Pay / Google Pay
- After payment, the blue checkmark appears within 24 hours
Is subscribing to X Premium worth it?
The answer depends on your usage. If you use X frequently or are a content creator or marketer — the subscription is very useful, especially for editing tweets and long videos, as well as increased visibility. But if you use X just to follow the news, you can do without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the blue checkmark guaranteed after subscribing?
Yes, once you subscribe, the blue checkmark appears within 24 hours. However, X reserves the right to remove it if it finds violations of the terms of use.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. If you cancel, the blue checkmark will remain with you until the end of the billing period you paid for.
Is X Premium available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, it is available in Saudi Arabia and all Gulf countries. Prices in dollars differ after currency conversion.
Is the app subscription more expensive than the web?
Yes, app prices (iOS/Android) are about 30% higher due to the app store commission. It’s better to subscribe from the browser.
Do organizations and institutions have a special subscription?
Yes, X Premium for Organizations (Verified Organizations) — with additional benefits for brands and official accounts. The price is different and includes verification of linked accounts.
