Elon Musk’s X platform has introduced the X Handle Marketplace, a new service allowing its highest-tier paid subscribers (Premium Plus and Premium Business) to acquire inactive usernames. This move is designed to redistribute high-demand handles and boost the platform’s monetization efforts.
How the Marketplace Works
Eligible paid subscribers can request or purchase handles in two main categories:
- Priority Handles: These are typically full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations. Premium subscribers can request these free of charge. However, if the user cancels or downgrades their subscription, the handle is lost after 30 days.
- Rare Handles: These are short, generic, or culturally significant names (like @Tom or @Pizza). These handles can be acquired through Public Drops (where the platform selects a user based on engagement) or via Direct Purchase. The purchase price can range from N2,500 up to seven figures. A key feature is that once purchased, a Rare handle remains with the user permanently, even if their Premium subscription ends.
The marketplace serves as an ongoing service to attract and retain high-value paid subscribers, ensuring valuable, unused digital real estate is put back into circulation as X continues its push to become a “super app.”
