X, formerly known as Twitter, is pushing its revenue generation efforts even further with an intriguing new feature — the sale of dormant usernames. According to recent changes in X's web application, the company has initiated a "handle inquiry" process that allows Verified Organizations (those paying a $1,000 monthly subscription) to bid on inactive usernames. The price for these usernames starts at $10,000 but could escalate to a staggering $500,000, based on demand.
This is part of Elon Musk's ongoing vision to optimize X’s platform, with a focus on enhancing user experience and increasing profitability. It seems like a win-win scenario — organizations can claim a desired username, while X generates revenue from previously inactive handles.
The feature, which is still not available to the general public, first surfaced thanks to reverse engineer Nima Owji, who spotted changes in X's web app. The handle inquiry process will be initiated through an automated support bot, which will respond within three business days. If the username is available, businesses can move forward with the purchase and transfer, usually within one to two days. There are even discounts for purchasing multiple handles at once.
X has been no stranger to purging dormant accounts, with a major cleanup done in May 2023. Now, this new bidding process will formalize the sale of unused handles, further clearing up X's namespace. While some users may have already purchased inactive usernames informally, this will be the first official, structured process for securing them.
It's clear that X's strategy here is about more than just recovering unused handles — it’s about maximizing value from its platform. Verified organizations could see this as an opportunity to enhance their online presence by acquiring desirable, previously unavailable usernames. In turn, this could motivate everyday users to stay active and engaged on the platform, preventing their handles from becoming part of X's marketplace.
With X’s broad reach and significant user base, this move signals a major shift in how social media platforms can monetize their services. The potential impact on both businesses and individual users could be substantial, and it’s worth keeping an eye on as X continues to evolve under Musk's leadership.
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