X is moving forward with plans to increase revenue by selling dormant usernames on its platform. Recent updates in X’s web application indicate the establishment of a “handle inquiry” process that will enable Verified Organizations—those with a $1,000 monthly subscription—to bid on abandoned handles. Bidding will begin at $10,000 and could exceed $500,000, as detailed in an FAQ discovered within the app.
These updates were initially identified by reverse engineer Nima Owji, who informed TechCrunch that the changes went live on Wednesday. However, the website for organizations to acquire handles is not yet accessible to the public.
The concept of monetizing handles was previously suggested under Elon Musk’s ownership. The New York Times reported in January 2023 that the company, then known as Twitter, was contemplating an online auction for username bidding.
Musk has long advocated for optimizing X’s username space for active users, having previously eliminated numerous inactive accounts in May 2023.
In November 2023, Forbes reported that X was actively seeking buyers for unused handles, although no formal announcement was made. Current documentation regarding inactive accounts states that the company “cannot release inactive usernames at this time,” yet there have been instances of users acquiring usernames outside of the official process.
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By allowing organizations to officially purchase desired usernames, X could create an additional revenue stream beyond subscriptions, advertisements, and developer access. This initiative might also motivate other users to remain active on the platform to avoid their usernames becoming dormant and available for sale.
Thus far, the FAQ addresses several common questions users may have about the process, including how to initiate a handle inquiry, the sales procedure, and the transfer process.
According to the still-unpublished website, interested users will interact with an automated support bot to inquire about a specific username, and X will respond within three business days if the handle is available. Once purchased, the handle will be transferred to the new owner within one or two days, or it can be linked to an existing account of the business, as stated in the FAQ.
Discounts may also be offered for those buying multiple handles simultaneously, depending on the quantity and size of the order.
X was approached for comment regarding its plans for username sales but did not provide a response.
