X Launches Marketplace for Inactive Usernames

X is rolling out a new marketplace that allows its paying members to claim inactive usernames, a move designed to attract more users to its subscription services. Premium Plus and Premium Business subscribers will soon gain access to this feature, enabling them to browse and request handles that are no longer in active use. The platform is categorizing available usernames into two distinct types to streamline the selection process.

One category, known as priority handles, will be offered at no additional charge. These typically consist of full names, multi-word expressions, or combinations of letters and numbers. The other group, referred to as rare handles, will come with a price tag. Rare handles may be priced anywhere from $2,500 to over seven figures, with the final cost determined by factors like uniqueness and current demand.

This initiative is not a limited-time promotion but an ongoing effort by X to enhance the value of its paid membership tiers. Should a user successfully obtain a new username through the marketplace, their previous handle will be placed on hold. The company has indicated that it might later introduce a paid redirect feature, allowing old usernames to point toward new ones.

It is important to note, however, that access to a marketplace-acquired handle is tied directly to an active subscription. If a user decides to cancel or downgrade their X plan, their account will automatically revert to the original username, and they will no longer be able to use the handle they secured. This policy ensures that premium usernames remain exclusively available to current paying members.

(Source: The Verge)