X is giving blue checks to influential users (which is what blue checks were supposed to be)

A user qualifies to receive a free blue check on X if they have more than 2,500 'verified' followers, which are people who subscribe to X Premium.

Some users are posting to clarify they didn't buy a blue check because there is a stigma associated with purchasing verification, and they want to make it clear that their blue check was given to them due to their follower count, not because they paid for it.

The meaning of the blue check has changed significantly from 2022 to the present. In 2022, a blue check on Twitter indicated that a user was influential, such as a celebrity, influencer, or journalist, and it helped verify public figures' identities, reducing misinformation. Now, the blue check can also indicate that a user has subscribed to X's premium service or has a large following, diluting its original purpose of verifying identity and influence.

The dissatisfaction with the new blue check system stems from a few reasons:

• Dilution of the blue check's prestige: It used to signify influence and authenticity, but now it can be obtained by simply having a large following or subscribing to a premium service.

• Confusion between 'real' and 'paid' verification: It's harder to distinguish between genuinely influential users and those who have the blue check because of their follower count or subscription, rather than their public significance.

• Stigma of buying verification: There's a negative perception around buying one's way to verification, leading to users clarifying that they didn't pay for their blue check.