Twitter's Blue Check Mark Loses Impact
March 29, 2023 – If it’s not Elon Musk’s idea of an April Fool’s prank, we’re about to witness the end of the blue check mark as a status symbol. As of Saturday, April 1, 2023 anyone on Twitter who wants can pony up $8-$12/ mo for a subscription. Celebs aren’t happy. Star Trek actor William Shatner tweeted, “I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) & witty thoughts all for bupkis. Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?” Elon Musk replied by saying he just wants to be fair and treat everyone equally.
Will Dorsey's Bluesky Overshadow Twitter?
May 3, 2023 – Since it’s launch, Twitter hasn’t had a direct competitor. No other app has worked quite the same way. Well, that’s about to change. Twitter now has a Doppelganger named Bluesky Social, co-founded by Jack Dorsey. Yes, the same guy who co-founded Twitter. Bluesky is launching the same way Clubhouse did. Users have to be invited to the platform. Those interested in receiving an invite can submit their email for the waiting list on Bluesky’s home page.
The United States vs. Google
January 24, 2023 – An important story for digital marketers to watch is that the US government is making good on antitrust promises, tabled during the Trump Administration, in relation to BigTech. Their current target is Google’s advertising platform, alleging, “Google monopolizes key digital advertising technologies.” If they succeed, it could lead to more options and better pricing for SMEs to innovate and compete. You can bypass news stories and read the facts in the Justice Department’s press release.
More on the Shakedown on Google and Meta Ads
April 1, 2023 – The US government is still pursuing various avenues to hold Google and Meta accountable for anti-trust violations pertaining to the way they conduct their Ads businesses. Back in 2020, the Justice Dept sued Google for setting up a, “…series of exclusionary agreements that collectively lock up the primary avenues through which users access search engines, and thus the internet…” Now, the US Senate is attempting to limit Ad monopolies with the AMERICAS Act.
Twitter Prohibits Links to Social Media Competitors
January 11, 2023 – Twitter announced a ban on lnks to competing social media sites stating, “We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter.” This means no links to Facebook Marketplace.