If you’ve recently opened Twitter, it might look a little different than when you last logged in—even if it’s only been a few days.
Twitter users were baffled by the platform’s “confusing” new labeling system, recently authorized by Elon Musk to improve the verification process.
Earlier this week, some accounts’ profile pictures were changed from a circle to a square shape with rounded corners to indicate they represent a verified business.
A new set of different colored ticks denoting different types of verified accounts has also been introduced.
Twitter users were baffled by the platform’s “confusing” new labeling system, recently authorized by Elon Musk to improve the verification process
A blue tick (left) indicates the user is paying for Twitter Blue, a gray tick indicates a government agency or official, while a gold tick (right) indicates a business account
WHAT BADGES CAN YOU HAVE BESIDES YOUR TWITTER NAME?
Blue Tick – These either mean the account is paying for Twitter Blue, or they were ticked prior to Mr Musk’s acquisition. These have not necessarily been verified by Twitter.
Gold tick + square profile picture – These characteristics indicate a verified business account subscribed to Twitter Blue for Business.
Gray Tick – These indicate a verified account representing a government institution or official.
“Official” label – This is applied to the verified accounts of commercial businesses that do not subscribe to “Twitter Blue for Business”.
State-owned Media or Government Organization Label – These labels are applied to verified accounts of organizations controlled by individuals or media companies affiliated with a country’s government or state.
“Automated by…” labels – These indicate that an account is posting content that wasn’t created by a human and identify the person responsible for it.
Professional Category Designations – These are descriptive designations chosen by the account holder who has registered for a “Professional Account”. This is a free upgrade that users can request for commercial accounts, provided they meet a number of criteria.
In response to Twitter’s changes, one user said, “Twitter is getting so confusing. Like red ticks, blue ticks, yellow ticks, circle profile pics, square profile pics, business tags. What’s happening?’
Another added: “Twitter is so confusing right now. Square Profile, Round Profile, Blue Badge, Yellow Badge, Affiliate Badge. 5 different things and combinations for it!’
Some called on Twitter to make this new screening system “inaccessible to many people with disabilities.”
This is because people with color blindness may have trouble distinguishing between the blue, gray, and gold ticks.
But others praised the introduction of the different colors and said it helped to instantly see who a person is, as opposed to a company, organization or government account.
The checkmarks and new profile picture shapes aren’t the only updates Mr Musk has made to further differentiate Twitter accounts.
Some have also been adorned with another badge on their profile, denoting an affiliated organization.
These are miniature square icons that appear to the right of the checkmark in profile and tweets, showing the affiliation logo.
This is reportedly a feature subscribers to ‘Twitter blue for business‘, an enterprise version of Twitter Blue.
The new upgrade option will be rolled out for certain verified accounts that also have a gold tick and square profile picture.
It’s currently unclear if accounts with these features have actively subscribed to Twitter Blue For Business, and how much it costs if they do.
Aside from the ticks, badges, and square profile pictures, you may also see new gray labels next to certain accounts.
Twitter accounts will have their profile pictures changed from a circle to a square shape to indicate they are verified business accounts
One user tweeted, “Twitter is so confusing right now. Square Profile, Round Profile, Blue Badge, Yellow Badge, Affiliate Badge. 5 different things and combinations for it!’
Some called on Twitter to make this new screening system “inaccessible to many people with disabilities.”
The terms “state-owned media” or “government organization” apply to verified accounts of organizations controlled by individuals or media companies affiliated with a country’s government or state.
An ‘Automated by…’ label indicates that an account is posting content that was not created by a human and credits the person responsible for it.
Labels that say “Official” may also still exist to denote the verified accounts of commercial companies, but these are not subscribed to Twitter Blue for Business.
The last label you might see is a “Pro Category” (right), which is a descriptor like “Coffee Shop” or “Beauty, Cosmetics & Personal Care”. These are available to those who have a third tier account upgrade, called a “Professional Account”.
The terms “state-owned media” or “government organization” (left) are applied to verified accounts of organizations controlled by individuals or media entities affiliated with a country’s government or state. An “Automated by…” label (right) indicates that an account is posting content that wasn’t created by a human and credits the person responsible for it
The last label you might see is a “Pro Category” which is a descriptor like “Coffee Shop” or “Beauty, Cosmetics & Personal Care”.
These are available to those with a third level of account upgrade, which is known as ‘Professional Account‘.
Professional accounts are available to “businesses, brands, creators and publishers” who meet a number of criteria and are currently completely free.
Some have called on Twitter to make this new verification system “inaccessible to many people with disabilities.” This is because people with color blindness may have trouble distinguishing between the blue, gray, and gold ticks
Mr Musk was interested in improving the verification process and ridding the platform of so-called “spam bots” even before his $44 billion (£38 billion) acquisition.
In his official statement after accepting his offer in April, he said he wanted to “make Twitter better than ever” by “authenticating everyone.”
But when he hit the brakes, only in his second week, to roll out the gray “Official” labels on prominent Twitter accounts after just hours.
This worried advertisers, and Mr Musk told them in an hour-long live broadcast that it was an “aesthetic nightmare” and a “two-tier system” was being created.
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Elon Musk announces he will step down as Twitter CEO after a humiliating defeat in his own poll
Elon Musk will step down as Twitter CEO after being defeated in his own disastrous poll.
The 51-year-old Tesla boss said when he uploaded the survey that he would “stick” to the result – even if users told him to resign.
The result was confirmed Monday morning, with a total of 57.5 percent out of more than 17 million accounts voting for his resignation from his position.
He has now confirmed he will step down from the role he took on during his $44 billion acquisition – once he finds a replacement “stupid enough” to replace him.
Read more here