How to Get Twitter Blue

Subscribing to X Premium (what most people still call Twitter Blue) is a quick way to unlock a host of powerful features for your account, from the sought-after blue checkmark to the ability to edit your posts. This guide breaks down exactly how to subscribe, what you get with each plan, and whether the investment is actually worthwhile for your brand or personal account.

What Exactly is X Premium (Formerly Twitter Blue)?

Back in the day, the blue checkmark on Twitter was reserved for notable figures - celebrities, journalists, and public officials - to verify their identity and combat impersonation. It was a status symbol you had to earn through an often mysterious application process. Today, things have changed completely.

X Premium is the site's new paid subscription model that bundles verification with a set of exclusive features. Instead of being an indicator of "notability," the blue checkmark now signifies that an account has an active subscription and has met X's eligibility requirements. This shift moved the checkmark from an earned badge to a purchased feature, opening it up to anyone willing to pay.

The program itself is split into three different tiers, each offering a different level of functionality at different price points. Understanding these tiers is the first step to deciding which, if any, is right for you.

Understanding the Three Tiers of X Premium

X is no longer a one-size-fits-all subscription. You now have three distinct levels to choose from: Basic, Premium, and Premium+.

Tier 1: X Basic

This is the entry-level plan for users who want a few extra features without the blue checkmark. It's a lower-cost option focused on enhancing the posting experience.

Features Include:

• Edit Post: You have up to one hour to make changes to your original post, like fixing typos or updating links.
• Undo Post: A feature that gives you a short window (up to 60 seconds) to retract a post before it goes live to the public. Perfect for catching last-minute mistakes.
• Longer Posts: Break free from the old character limit and write posts up to 25,000 characters.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Use SMS-based 2FA for an extra layer of security.
• Encrypted Direct Messages: Engage in more secure, end-to-end encrypted conversations with other subscribing accounts.
• And more: Includes custom app icons, themes, longer video uploads (up to 120 minutes), and a reader mode for threads.

Who is it for? Power users and small creators who want more flexibility in how they post content but don't care about the blue checkmark or reduced ads.

Tier 2: X Premium

This is the standard and most popular tier. It includes everything from the Basic plan plus the features most people associate with the old Twitter Blue, including verification and increased visibility.

Features Include:

• Everything in X Basic: You get all the features from the entry-level plan.
• The Blue Checkmark: Once your eligible account is reviewed, you’ll receive the blue badge next to your name.
• Half Ads: X claims you'll see approximately 50% fewer ads in your "For You" and "Following" timelines.
• Creator Hub: Access tools to manage your presence, including options for subscriber-only content and tracking your earnings from ad revenue sharing.
• Prioritized Rankings: Your replies get a small boost in visibility, placing them higher in conversations. Your posts also get a boost in the "For You" timeline.

Who is it for? Brands, creators, and individuals who want the added credibility of the blue checkmark, want to monetize their content, and are looking for a slight algorithmic advantage in conversations.

Tier 3: X Premium+

This is the top-tier plan for users who want the cleanest experience on the platform and early access to new AI tools.

Features Include:

• Everything in X Premium: You automatically get all the benefits from the Basic and Premium tiers, including the checkmark.
• No Ads: This is the big one. You'll see no ads in your "For You" and "Following" timelines. Note: a few ads may still appear in other places, like replies.
• Fullest Reply Boost: Get the largest boost in reply rankings, giving your responses the most prominence.
• Access to Grok AI: Grok is X's conversational AI and its most ambitious new feature. It can answer questions with real-time access to information on X. Premium+ subscribers get full access.

Who is it for? Media companies, large brands, and dedicated users who want zero distractions from advertisements and are eager to experiment with the platform's new AI technology.

Before You Subscribe: Key Eligibility Requirements

Not just any account can get X Premium. To be eligible, especially for the checkmark-bearing tiers, your account must meet a set of baseline criteria to prevent spam and impersonation.

• Complete Profile: You must have a display name and a profile picture set. Anonymous-looking accounts are typically rejected.
• Active Usage: Your account must have been created at least 30 days ago and have a recent history of activity (posting, liking, replying). You can't just create an account and subscribe on day one.
• Secure: A confirmed phone number is required on your account.
• Not Deceptive: Your account must not have recently changed its profile picture, display name, or handle (@username). Additionally, there should be no signs of platform manipulation, spam, or impersonation.

Failing to meet these standards will cause your application to be rejected, so give your profile a quick audit before you hit the subscribe button.

How to Get X Premium: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of subscribing is slightly different depending on whether you're using a web browser or the mobile app. The pricing also differs, as mobile subscriptions include fees charged by Apple and Google.

Subscribing on a Web Browser (Desktop or Laptop)

This is typically the most direct and affordable way to subscribe.

1. Log in to your account at X.com.
2. In the left-hand navigation menu, click on "More" and then select "Premium."
3. A pop-up will appear prompting you to verify that you're an individual or an organization. Select "I am an individual."
4. You'll now see the three tiers (Basic, Premium, Premium+). Toggle between "Monthly" and "Yearly" pricing. The yearly option usually offers a discount.
5. Select the plan that’s right for you by clicking the subscribe button.
6. Enter your payment information via the Stripe checkout system and confirm your purchase.

Once you’ve paid, your subscription is active, and X will begin reviewing your account for the blue checkmark if you chose the Premium or Premium+ tier.

Subscribing on the Mobile App (iOS or Android)

While convenient, be aware that you'll pay a bit more through the app stores.

1. Open the X app on your smartphone.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the side menu.
3. Select "Premium" from the menu options.
4. Choose between the toggles for "Monthly" or "Yearly."
5. Tap the subscription button for your desired tier (Basic, Premium, or Premium+).
6. The payment will be processed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, using the payment method linked to your account.

And that’s it! Your new features will become available immediately.

Is Getting the Blue Checkmark Worth It?

With X Premium, the blue checkmark has evolved from a verification tool into a subscription badge. The value really depends on your goals.

For brands and businesses, the checkmark can still signal legitimacy to customers, making the account appear more official and professional. Features like longer posts and longer video uploads open up new content marketing possibilities, allowing for detailed product announcements or tutorials directly on the platform without relying on external links.

For content creators, the key benefits are the Creator Hub and prioritized rankings. The potential for ad revenue sharing provides a path to monetization, and the reply boost can make it much easier to engage with large accounts and gain visibility. Being able to correct typos with the edit button is also a major quality-of-life improvement that helps maintain a polished feed.

However, some users now view the paid checkmark with skepticism, associating it with anyone willing to pay rather than with authentic notability. The promised reach boost is also algorithmic and not guaranteed, so it's best viewed as a potential bonus rather than a sure thing. Consider if the suite of features - from editing posts to reducing ads - provides enough value to justify the recurring cost for your specific use case.

A Quick Note on Changing Your Profile

Once your blue checkmark is active, be careful about changing your profile picture, display name, or username. Making any of these changes will trigger a new review process, and you will temporarily lose the checkmark until your account is re-verified by X. This is a measure to prevent users from impersonating others after getting certified.

Final Thoughts

Getting X Premium is a straightforward process that boils down to choosing a tier and subscribing via web or mobile. It provides a toolkit of features designed to enhance security, expression, and control over your experience on an increasingly competitive platform.

Once you have those X Premium features unlocked, crafting a consistent content schedule becomes more important than ever. I work on a social media tool called Postbase, which we designed specifically for today’s dynamic platforms. You can use its visual calendar to plan out your new, longer-form posts and videos, and once they're live, our unified inbox helps you manage all the incoming replies in one place, which is incredibly helpful if the prioritized rankings give your engagement a boost.