Elon Musk has once again sparked conversations on Twitter after revealing his intentions to embark on a substantial account purge. This is coming just a few weeks after the Twitter owner caused a stir on the microblogging platform following his decision to remove the blue verification mark for legacy accounts.
Using his Twitter account, Musk announced his plan to clear out inactive profiles on the platform, potentially freeing up coveted usernames. However, this move will likely result in a significant drop in follower counts for many users.
While some users might perceive this announcement as a new update, with Elon Musk, this is nothing new. This idea has been in his plans since he acquired the microblogging site in December 2022. Then, he announced that Twitter will delete 1.5 billion accounts to free up dormant handles or usernames.
It is unsure when the decision will be implemented but given Elon Musk’s track record of transformative ventures, we might be expecting this sooner than later. By reclaiming dormant accounts, Twitter aims to create an environment that fosters genuine engagement and provides a platform for active users to connect more meaningfully.
While the expected follower drop may raise eyebrows, it is crucial to recognize that this strategic move aligns with the microblogging site’s ongoing commitment to optimizing user interactions and content relevance. In the long run, a purged user base will facilitate more accurate follower counts, allowing users to build organic and engaged communities.
Read Also: Bluesky vs Twitter: A serious competitor or a scheme to rattle Elon Musk?
How Twitter inactive accounts will be determined
The microblogging platform has made this clear in its policy on inactive accounts. In its statement, it said,
Inactivity is based on logging in. Please note that you may not be able to tell whether an account is currently inactive, as not all signs of account activity are publicly visible.
For this, users must keep their account active and log in at least once every 30 days, as accounts with prolonged inactivity may be permanently disabled.
We cannot release inactive usernames at this time. If a username you would like is being used by an account that seems inactive, you should consider selecting an available variation for your use on Twitter. In general, adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations can help you come up with an available username.
Read Also: Mixed reactions as Twitter returns blue tick for users with over 1m followers
Deactivated and suspended accounts in the days following Musk’s takeover
According to Statista, from October 27th to November 1st, a significant shift occurred on the microblogging site, with users deactivating around 877,000 accounts and Twitter suspending approximately 497,000 accounts.
As a result, the platform experienced a substantial loss of around 1.3 million profiles. Notably, this figure represents more than double the weekly count of deactivated and suspended accounts within the measured timeframe.
This might be due to the change in management, but the number of inactive accounts in recent times is not clear. However, with this new decision, we might see a more significant decline in numbers.
Twitter is also considering an organizational verification plan that doesn’t cost $1,000 a month. Over the weekend, Elon Musk said on Twitter that the company is working on a cheaper plan for small businesses but didn’t give any details about the cost.
Elon Musk said that the company is creating a new onboarding process to ensure organizations applying for verification are not involved in fraudulent activities.
Currently, brands need to spend $1,000 a month for verification to get a golden checkmark along with $50 per month for each affiliate account. For smaller organizations, this amount might be a significant spend just to maintain their presence on Twitter.
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