Twitter's Latest Updates: Exemptions, Fees, and Open-Source Algorithms

Twitter will begin removing “legacy” verified badges from individuals and organizations approved under the company’s previous criteria. Going forward, only paying customers will be granted the verified check-marks, which are now blue for individuals, gold for brands and companies, and gray for governmental organizations. Twitter will charge businesses and organizations $1,000 per month to retain their verified status, but will waive the fee for its 500 largest advertising clients and for the 10,000 most-followed brands, companies and organizations that have been previously verified.