In today’s social media-driven world, having that coveted blue tick next to your name on Twitter signifies credibility and authenticity. However, even the biggest names in the world are not immune to losing their verified status. Recently, two powerhouses, Beyonce and Pope Francis, bid farewell to their blue ticks. In this article, we explore the reasons behind their loss of verified status and the impact it can have on their online presence.
Twitter has recently been removing blue checkmarks from user profiles, resulting in famous personalities such as Beyonce and Pope Francis losing their verified statuses. However, some individuals like LeBron James and Stephen King still retained their checkmarks. Stephen King tweeted his confusion regarding his Twitter account indicating that he had subscribed to Twitter Blue and provided a phone number, which he never did. Elon Musk responded to King’s tweet by saying, “You’re welcome namaste” with a folded hands emoji. Musk later tweeted that he personally paid for the checkmarks of William Shatner, LeBron James, and Stephen King. Under Musk’s ownership, Twitter has changed the way it verifies identities and has introduced blue tickmarks in other colors. Additionally, Twitter labels accounts that are linked to a government or are bots. Richard Osman, a British comedian and presenter, tweeted his thoughts on the removal of blue checkmarks, stating, “Farewell blue tick, old friend. Don’t forget, always set your feed to ‘Following’ rather than ‘For You’. Then you’ll keep seeing the people you actually follow, and not people who’ve paid for attention.” One of the most famous users to have a blue tick because of being subscribed to Twitter Blue is Taylor Swift, with 92.5 million followers on the platform.
In a world where social media presence is key, losing a verified status on Twitter may seem like a minor setback. However, the recent news of Beyonce and Pope Francis losing their blue ticks serves as a reminder that even the most influential figures are not immune to the ever-changing rules and algorithms of social media platforms. Nevertheless, as we bid farewell to these blue ticks, we are reminded that their impact and influence goes beyond a simple verification badge. Their achievements and contributions speak for themselves and will continue to inspire and motivate millions around the world. As for the rest of us, let’s continue to use our voices and platforms to make a positive difference in the world, whether verified or not.
