The social media company that is led by Elon Musk, X (previously Twitter), has also released a new feature that allows users to purchase usernames that are not being used in a marketplace.
This program will utilize such idle accounts and provide desirable handles to active account holders.
The Operation of the X Handle Marketplace
XHandle Marketplace is also available to Premium Plus and Premium Business subscribers only.
Such users will be able to check and request inactive usernames that will be of two classes:
- Priority Handles: These are common names, combinations of alpha numerals, or combinations of multiple words. They may be ordered without extra charges.
- Rare Handles: These are brief, distinctive, or in demand usernames. These handles sell between 2,500 dollars and seven figures, according to their uniqueness and demand.
After a user acquires a new handle, his old name is frozen and cannot be used by another user.
In any case, once a user demotes their subscription, they will no longer have access to the new handle and will go back to the original one.
There is Purpose Behind the Marketplace
It is one of the moves Musk has made in his overall effort to commercialize the dead assets on the site.
This is how the redistribution of inactive usernames is used to create a better user experience and a revenue generating tool by X.
The site has already started deleting non-active accounts and is expected to release up to 1.5 billion usernames.
Potential Implications
Although the marketplace provides the opportunity for users to get the desired usernames, it also poses the question of equity and accessibility.
The necessity to pay a subscription could restrict access for some users, and the high costs of rare handles may be restrictive to some persons.
Moreover, the definition of inactive accounts and the reclaiming naming procedure can be examined as one of the aspects that need attention.
The proposal of the X Handle Marketplace leads to some major changes in the system of identity control of social media.
X is leading to a new market of digital identities as it enables users to purchase inactive usernames.
Nonetheless, whether this initiative is successful will be based on its approach to matters of fairness, access, and transparency.
