YouTube probably didn't invent the concept of paying its content creators with large audiences, but it definitely started the trend. Over the past few years, more and more online spaces have incorporated ways of allowing top users to earn money for posting.
Twitter's been experimenting with a couple different ways over the past couple months, but this is the one that's been talked about the most.
Love Someone on Twitter? Give Them a Super Follow
Twitter's exploration of monetization features began in February, when the company announced that it was testing Super Follows. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong has shared images of what it might look like once officially rolled out.
Twitter is working on Super Follows application
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) June 6, 2021
Requirements:
- Have at least 10000 followers
- Have posted at least 25 Tweets in past 30 days
- Be at least 18 years old
notably, “Adult content” and “OnlyFans” are mentioned in the category and platform sections https://t.co/qSEjh0ohm8 pic.twitter.com/yvkzx672V2
The Super Follow program allows online content creators to monetize their Twitter following. It works similarly to Patreon—in exchange for monthly payments, you'll receive access to premium content that regular followers don't have.
However, unlike Patreon, the opportunity to set up your own subscription service isn't open to just anyone that signs up. Wong says if you want to be on the receiving end of a Super Follow, you need to send an application to Twitter.
The requirements are as follows:
- Have at least 10,000 followers
- Have at least 25 tweets (made in the last 30 days)
- Be at least 18 years old
According to Wong's screenshots, you'll also be asked for what category your content falls into and what platform(s) you use to connect with your audience.
If you don't find something on Twitter's list of categories/platforms that suits you, it looks like there is an Other option for both fields on the form. It says "Please specify," so presumably you can freely type what applies to you.
Yet Another Leaked Twitter Feature
Whenever Twitter is working on something, Wong is typically one of the first people (not associated with Twitter) to sniff it out.
She accurately predicted the implementation of Twitter Blue, the platform's $2.99 subscription service (which has since launched in Canada and Australia), as well as the Tip Jar, which lets you send payments to other users.
It doesn't seem like Twitter seems to mind, though. In fact, the company's communications team seemed to allude to Wong's findings in a recent tweet. "Yes, the rumors are true," it writes before confirming features the reverse engineer spotted first.
twitter is subtweeting me 😁 https://t.co/UmOpNEPxVS
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) June 3, 2021
Who Will You Super Follow?
A light Twitter user may not see the appeal of Super Follows, thinking why would you want to pay for someone's tweets, but even just having the option there will probably do Twitter better than it did without.
Why? Because Twitter is eliminating the need to go off-site if you want to give money to other users. It's common for creators to link their Patreon or other online payment services in tweets or in their bio to get their supporters to help fund the production their content.
With Super Follows and the Tip Jar, that won't be necessary anymore. Followers will be able to send payments to their favorite creators without leaving Twitter, which is a big win for the platform.
