Have you ever wanted to see that coveted blue checkmark by your name?
Wanted to revel in all the checkmark privileges the blue provides?
Do you desperately want the verification in all of its social media glory?
Well, now you don't have to wait for the unattainable anymore. Twitter decided to bestow the gift of celebrity on us mere mortals.
For the low low price of $8 a month, you too can buy your privilege. However, Twitter wasn't the only one to spin a profit off the desirable blue checkmarks.
Elon Musk ruffled feathers when he decided Twitter would begin a monthly subscription service for "notable" accounts to purchase and/or maintain their status verified status.
The decision drew a very thin line between the "well-known" and the "well, someone knows them" reaffirming the old adage "fame costs." And now for less than ten dollars you too could buy popularity.
Or pretend to be a pharmaceutical giant and tank their stock prices.
The Twitter announcement drew immediate mockery and pushback. But there was no bigger troll than Tumblr.
Tumblr wanted in on the action.
\u201cGet your Important Blue Internet Checkmarks on https://t.co/dB5KY5ncJY!\n\nThey're a steal at $7.99\u2014considering that you get not one, but TWO checkmarks for your blog!\n\nWhy, you ask?\nWhy not?\n\nNothing matters! \u00af\_(\u30c4)_/\u00af\n\nACT NOW https://t.co/t52eO66xDt\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
Tumblr decided to sell two verified checkmarks for just $7.99.
The microblogging and social networking platform tumbled into this week's trending news and piled on more mockery of Musk when they made their announcement.
The description on Tumblr's site read:
“We’re introducing Important Blue Internet Checkmarks here on Tumblr."
"They’re a steal at $7.99—that’s cheaper than some other places, when you consider that you get not one but TWO checkmarks for your blog on web only (for now)."
A disclaimer seemingly aimed at Musk read:
“This is not a verification status; it’s an Important Blue Internet Checkmark, which in 2022 is just as legit.
To then add a cherry on top, a separate page containing more information about the blue checkmarks stated there’s “no need to call” and you can go ahead and secure the “coveted status symbol” without “having to be verified by staff.”
People were here for the chaos.
\u201c@alastair_draws :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@meganleigh_r \ud83d\udcf8 thanks bestie!\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@krabby_phatty \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@manscaped @tumblr One check mark for each ball\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@Vorfalath @tumblr \ud83e\udd80 Crabs are our friends and they make us happy! \ud83e\udd80\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@EffinBirds @tumblr You only have to pay 40, cause you get two! :D /info\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@hewwo_dear It's not something you can do right now (the interns just shipped the code after all) so no promises but it's something we're looking at. I like your shoelaces btw.\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201c@SkylordAlek @tumblr I have blue checkmarks there, so obviously my Tumblr content is superior to my non-checkmarked tweets\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
@annaHollinrake/Twitter
@annaHollinrake/Twitter
Tumblr can probably relate.
A poorly researched decision sunk their social media platform too.
\u201c@LetItMelo @tumblr To be fair, it\u2019s owned by an entirely different company than it was then. They\u2019re certainly not perfect but they\u2019re an immense improvement over Yahoo or Verizon.\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
But Tumblr saw the error of their ways and had a change of heart.
And they're welcoming people back in style.
\u201c@Prolixxxa @tumblr Your mature/adult content is welcome on @tumblr \n\nhttps://t.co/hRx7Qhz9ei\n\n\u2665\ufe0f\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668111418
\u201csorry we meant on https://t.co/ZagbPdeOyb the website and app :/\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668316254
\u201clet\u2019s see if your Twitter handle is available\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668190281
\u201cWhat are you wearing to the Tumblr renaissance?\n\nL - R\n1. \u2764\ufe0f \n2. \ud83d\udc9b \n3. \ud83d\udc9a \n4. \ud83d\udc99 \n5. \ud83d\udc9c\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668342001
\u201cHi.\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1667632655
\u201cIf you're leaving your nest and migrating to Tumblr, visit https://t.co/DXQh76XBJW to check the availability of your username!\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1668201231
Bravo Tumblr.
Way to make the most of the moment...
\u201cWe are cringe.\nBut we are free.\u201d— tumblr dot com the website and app (@tumblr dot com the website and app) 1667933480
... and still keep it real.