It’s the end of an era for Twitter users, including one longtime “bird app” resident, BTS.
On April 19, Twitter announced that it would be removing legacy verified check marks on April 20. Now, users will need to sign up for Twitter Blue, a premium subscription that starts at $8 USD a month. In addition to receiving a check mark, Twitter Blue users are “prioritized rankings in conversations and search.” They will also see fewer ads, can post longer, higher-quality videos, and use existing Twitter Blue features, including an edit button.
Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOXAX
Organizations can sign up for Verified Organizations here: https://t.co/YtPVNYypHU
— Twitter Verified (@verified) April 19, 2023
In the past, verified users needed to undergo a verification application process to prove they were, in fact, who they said they were. This prevented imposters from impersonating celebrities, companies, and public figures.
Now, major Twitter accounts are losing their blue check marks and blending in with the crowd. Not even BTS, with a Twitter following of 48.3 million, is exempt. The supergroup joined Twitter 12 years ago, in July 2011.
So far, ARMYs’ reactions to BTS becoming “one of us” are mixed.
no but why am i loving it so much though
i absolutely love it no checkmark seems like they’re one of us woohoo let’s go bts unverified on twt era
pic.twitter.com/polH2MaksG
— ara⁷
(@mimingles7) April 20, 2023
Some were taken by surprise and would like Twitter to restore BTS’s check mark…
WHY ??? BTS’S BLUE TICK IS GONE ??? that’s the official acc of biggest boyband in the world pic.twitter.com/Iaw8vYecFv
— JIMIN VOCAL | threads & analyses (@PJM_vocal) April 20, 2023
they took bts’ blue check omfg why’d they leave them butt naked it feels like that video where the guy walked up to the other guy with a vacuum and pulled his pants off
— z⁷ seeing agust d-16 (@punnyjoonie) April 20, 2023
they stole bts’ verification mark ELON! pic.twitter.com/f9prALkcYa
— ☆ (@btsvirgos) April 20, 2023
…but others think BTS, who use their Twitter account less frequently these days, won’t care about the change.
Everyone screaming over how BTS_twt blue tick is gone like BTS use Twitter and i bet they don’t care about it
— Shru⁷ (@bangtinyboyys) April 20, 2023
you know damn well they are not getting that blue checkmark back they do not care about this app anymore and honestly good for them
— gay little bts (@sexilarity) April 20, 2023
$100 on fact blue check mark wont appear because they deleted the app and wont pay for twitter blue pic.twitter.com/KgbcxTin3Z
— ☆ (@93MINGL0SS) April 20, 2023
In fact, some ARMYs can’t imagine their favorite “broke millionaires” forking over $8 when they could buy more important things with that money…like ramen.
bts when they realize they gotta pay $8 monthly for a blue tick whrn they could have got ramen instead –pic.twitter.com/S2TrSYxJYu
— fai celebrating d-day 🫂 (@myyouwithjk) April 20, 2023
Y’all pls buy BTS albums, they’re going shirtless day by day and now they’ve to pay for the blue tick on twitter. Help them
— tani⁷ (@stopbeingdelulu) April 20, 2023
thinking abt hybe putting 8 dollars aside every month for bts to have a blue tick on an app is so funny
— 富婆⁷ (@lucifrian) April 20, 2023
Let’s not forget that BTS are no strangers to being, well, strangers. The @bts_twt account was unverified for the first three years of its life.
April 20, 2023, @BTS_twt let go of their blue verified check mark as twt changes, first time they’ve been without it since got it in 2014 in Dark & Wild era. Corp accts (so far) kept theirs. @bts_bighit w square icon and gold check for official businesses (verified organization) pic.twitter.com/1tun1VydsW
— Ren⁷⟭⟬⟬⟭(busy) (@renkiger_) April 20, 2023
Will @bts_twt join Twitter Blue? Stay tuned!