Twitter has launched its revamped subscription service that allows anyone to pay for a verification badge.

An update to the platform’s iOS app launched on Saturday, reveals that the new-look Twitter Blue is now live, with the checkmark on your account listed among the perks of paying $7.99 a month.

It’s available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with the update saying the service will provide: “Power to the people: Your account will get a blue checkmark, just like the celebrities, companies, and politicians you already follow.”

Other features promised to be “coming soon” include half the number of adverts, the ability to post longer videos and priority ranking for content posted on the platform.

The blue tick verification system was previously designed to help users identify authentic, influential users on the platform such as government figures, sportsmen and women, journalists and brands.

But Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, seems to be looking to diversify the company’s revenue streams after his $44bn take over.

The launch of the new feature comes just a day after the social network began laying off thousands of its staff around the world,

Elon Musk defends culling Twitter staff but insists commitment to moderation remains ‘absolutely unchanged’

Twitter employee’s ‘laptop wiped and accounts locked’ as company considers laying off staff

Elon Musk blames activists for revenue fall as he closes all Twitter offices and layoffs begin

Staff who face losing their jobs in the UK were given three days to nominate a representative for a formal consultation about their employment.

Workers in the UK have been told the company plans to inform and consult employee representatives ahead of potential redundancies, as required by employment law.

Related posts:

Perseverance rover takes selfie with Ingenuity helicopter Apple to start enforcing privacy notifications that upset Facebook Psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms ‘promising’ for treating depression Emergency alerts for terror attacks, floods and other disasters to be sent directly to your phone Hermit crabs ‘sexually excited’ by toxins from plastic pollution Our heartbeats synchronise while we’re listening to stories, researchers find Mild and moderate COVID cases during pregnancy doesn’t harm babies’ brains, finds study Driverless car starts to pull away after being stopped by police Sony PlayStation being sued for £5bn Sending man back to the moon – what you need to know about NASA’s historic mission Crackdown needed to stop children buying vapes, experts warn Some Twitter users will now be able to edit their tweets