_x000D_AI Illustration: Midjourney

What does the blue checkmark next to a user’s name signify on X (formerly Twitter) as of early 2024?

On March 27, 2024, Elon Musk made a strategic move by awarding free blue checkmarks to users with more than 2,500 verified subscriber followers, granting them Premium features, and to those with over 5,000, providing Premium+ features at no cost. The blue checkmark, once a symbol of paid subscription, now also nods to users who wield considerable influence in the X sphere, all without opening their digital wallets.