The social platform X, previously recognized as Twitter, has begun the transition of its iconic TweetDeck feature into a paid service named XPro. Numerous X users, including renowned social media expert Matt Navarra, reported encountering a promotional page for X Premium (previously Twitter Blue) upon attempting to access XPro.
Although not all users, including some from The Verge, have experienced this change, the widespread reports suggest it might soon be universal. X had previously hinted at this modification, announcing on July 3rd its intention to make XPro exclusively available for subscribers. Interestingly, this shift occurred slightly past the company’s self-imposed 30-day deadline.
Under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has enriched the X Premium subscription, introducing features such as extended post lengths, enhanced formatting, ad revenue sharing, and superior visibility in discussions and searches. The platform hopes that these enhancements, along with exclusive access to XPro, will incentivize users to opt for this premium service.
Historically, TweetDeck stood out as a sought-after third-party app for Twitter users, especially after its acquisition by the company in 2011. Its capability to manage multiple accounts and tailor-feed attracted professionals like journalists and marketers. As such, the introduction of a fee for this previously complimentary tool, now branded with a “Pro” tag, may seem logical from a business perspective, but many users are lamenting the loss of free access.
While the transformation of TweetDeck into a paid feature aligns with the current trend of monetizing popular tools, it does leave a significant user base yearning for the free-access days. This move might bring in additional revenue for X, but it also underscores the ever-evolving dynamics of digital platforms, where nothing remains constant, not even the tools we’ve grown accustomed to.
