In November 2022, Tumblr saw an opportunity in Twitter’s blue check verification scheme. Parodying Elon Musk’s Twitter-provided $8 blue check, Tumblr decided to do the same. To make the “Important Blue Internet Checkmarks” available for a one-time fee of $7.99. The company stressed that it would be a completely pointless purchase, but it might be worth it in order to become “an important person on the Internet.”
Ultimately, this ridicule only worked in Tumblr’s favor. Self-proclaimed jokes led to increased revenue for social sites. According to TechCrunch(opens in new tab)Since the paid verification scheme launched, the Tumblr app has captured $263,000 in consumer spending. This equates to a 125% increase in iOS in-app revenue.
9 ways Tumblr changed the internet
Indeed, the app offers other purchases, such as paid boosts for ad-free browsing. The increase in numbers isn’t entirely attributable to fake blue checks.
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Meanwhile, the social media company’s paid subscription plan, Twitter Blue, has an estimated 180,000 subscribers.(opens in new tab) As of mid-January. However, the company is reportedly experiencing stagnant subscription numbers. Many celebrities and companies have unsubscribed, including Tesla, of which Musk is his CEO.
Soaring revenue highlights the renaissance Tumblr is currently enjoying(opens in new tab)Resurrected after being almost obsolete(opens in new tab), the platform is growing in popularity in the large landscape of social media apps.At the time of writing, Tumblr reports 135 million(opens in new tab) With monthly active users and Twitter’s future remaining in flux, it’s likely that more users will be welcomed.
