Would you pay for Twitter?

It’s not really an easy yes or no question because if they go to a subscription service with extra features, you can still use Twitter basic. I’m split. Many sites already do the subscription thing, offering members stuff they can’t get elsewhere. Thing is, this kind of elitist attitude on social nets feels wrong, and is especially ironic given most of these were developed in California, historically a place where 60s hippie culture fostered a spirit of open community, no?

I’m not naive though, the net was never free because you always had to pay to access it. Selling ad space is also a necessary evil; many sites need to do it to survive. Still, internet access was always pay one price and you get to ride all you want for free. (With pay as you waste bandwidth on the rise, even that notion is dying.

But it’s likely that if Twitter pushes this through, you can see all the other social nets likely following, and ultimately, you could also see the development of an alternet movement to get us back to the idea of complete online “freeness.”

Although, if they do do it, it’ll be nice to see all the celebrity whores migrate and follow. Nothing will change because as I ranted previously, Britney Spears and THE_REAL_SHAQ still aren’t going to be following you, let alone talking to you. They’d pay to get away from people like you and me. You can just see a premium level of Twitter being created for the rarified air of the suggested follow list too. Still, just because you can afford to get in though doesn’t mean you get to hang with the cool kids.

(Another issue for another post, but what about brands that might go premium on any social net losing touch with everyday consumers, unless they offered people something cool for following?)

Tags: Twitter