Twitter has announced that it will no longer allow free access to both versions 1.1 and 2 of its API. Instead, the social media giant intends to launch a “paid basic tier,” the pricing structure of which has yet to be announced. This policy adjustment has implications for both platform developers and users.
Third-party developers can use the Twitter API to obtain and analyze public data from Twitter, connecting programmable bots to platforms like Pikaso, Thread Reader, and RemindMe OfThis. Twitter previously provided limited free API access and a premium, scalable tier for developers who require unrestricted endpoint access and other enterprise capabilities.
However, this policy change has already impacted numerous popular third-party Twitter applications, including Tweetbot, Fenix, and Twitterrific, which have been inaccessible since mid-January owing to “longstanding API rules.” How the switch to a paid API would influence these apps remains to be seen.
Twitter’s move to a paid API is part of the company’s efforts to monetize the platform following Elon Musk’s acquisition. This shift can also be seen in the growth of Twitter Blue, which has become a $7.99 monthly membership service. Users can use this service to purchase blue checkmarks for previously unknown websites.
It appears that the paid API is primarily aimed at large developers who use the API to support commercial projects. These developers will need to weigh the cost of continuing the service against its benefits.
