Elon Musk's X is selling custom usernames

Elon Musk-owned social media platform X has launched a system that will redistribute usernames for its Premium Plus and Premium Business subscribers. The system will specifically offer usernames that have been unused for a long time to subscribers who request them, and the names will be divided into two categories: "Priority" and "Rare."

X'S WAY TO INCREASE ITS REVENUES

Premium usernames typically include full names or multi-word phrases and will be free to eligible subscribers. However, the real earning potential will lie with rare usernames, based on demand and uniqueness.

This feature isn't a one-time benefit; it's a paid service that's available for as long as the subscription continues. When you get a new username, your old one will be frozen, and X is also considering offering paid forwarding options in the future.

But there's a caveat: if you downgrade your subscription, you lose your premium username and your account automatically reverts to your old username.

The move is seen as the latest example of Musk's effort to increase X's subscription revenue and make premium tiers more attractive. It also raises questions about the future of online identity, where even a username can now become a high-priced status symbol.