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X may soon start selling inactive usernames to Verified Organizations startingat $10K, code reveals
X (formerly Twitter) is implementing a system to sell inactive usernames to Verified Organizations, starting at $10,000, as part of a revenue boost initiative. The process will allow these organizations to bid on dormant handles, following a previous concept explored under Elon Musk's ownership. This could stimulate activity among users to retain their handles.
Key points
- X is introducing a 'handle inquiry' process for Verified Organizations to bid on inactive usernames.
- Bidding will commence at $10,000, with potential prices exceeding $500,000.
- The idea of selling usernames was initially considered under Elon Musk's ownership in January 2023.
- X has previously purged inactive accounts, aiming to free up usernames for active users.
- The current changes were detected by reverse engineer Nima Owji and will streamline the process for purchasing usernames.
- Organizations will interact with an automated support bot for inquiries and handle transfers.
Why it matters
- The trend of monetizing dormant usernames reflects broader 2025 IT trends focusing on digital asset management and resource optimization.
- This move aligns with efforts across tech companies to enhance monetization strategies beyond traditional ad revenues.
- Historical initiatives of namespace management in social media parallel X's approach of unlocking dormant accounts for active use.
By enabling the sale of inactive usernames, X is potentially diversifying its revenue streams and encouraging user engagement, reflecting current trends in digital asset monetization and management.