X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced a significant enhancement to its Premium+ subscription plan by making it entirely ad-free. This upgrade is a substantial improvement over the previous setup where the Premium+ plan still included a limited number of advertisements. Now, subscribers can enjoy an uninterrupted browsing experience with no ads displayed anywhere on the platform, including in the feed and in all sections such as For You and Following.
This change marks a major shift in X's subscription strategy, highlighting the company's commitment to providing a premium experience that prioritizes user satisfaction and engagement. The move reflects a broader trend towards offering more personalized and distraction-free digital environments. By removing all ads, X aims to cater to users who seek a completely seamless interaction with the platform, free from the interruptions typically associated with ad-supported content.
Before this update, X offered two subscription plans: Premium and Premium+. While both plans featured fewer ads compared to the Basic free plan, they were not entirely ad-free. The Premium+ plan, in particular, reduced the ad load but did not eliminate it entirely. Subscribers of the Premium plan still encountered ads, albeit at a lower frequency than those using the Basic plan.
The announcement of the fully ad-free Premium+ plan was made through X’s official account on the platform. The company stated, "No more ads, anywhere on X. Premium+ is now fully ad free." This upgrade means that subscribers who opt for the Premium+ plan will no longer see any ads in their feed, including in the For You and Following sections. This new feature is a significant improvement for users seeking an uninterrupted browsing experience.
In comparison, the X Premium plan, while offering a reduced number of ads, still included some ads in the For You and Following sections of the app. The Premium+ plan, now fully ad-free, is tailored for users who prioritize a distraction-free experience. The distinction between the Premium and Premium+ plans highlights X’s commitment to offering tiered subscription options based on user preferences for ad exposure.
Beyond being completely ad-free, the Premium+ subscription offers a range of additional features designed to enhance the user experience. Subscribers gain access to:
Article Writing: Ability to write and publish articles directly on the platform.
Reply Boosts: Enhanced visibility for replies with the largest boost in replies.
Grok Early Access: Early access to X’s AI chatbot, Grok.
Verification Checkmark: A verification checkmark to denote authenticity.
X Pro: Access to advanced features and tools.
Analytics: Detailed analytics for tracking engagement and performance.
Custom App Icons: Option to customize app icons.
Bookmark Folders: Ability to organize saved content into folders.
Customizable Navigation Bar: Personalized navigation options for X’s mobile apps.
These features collectively aim to provide a more customized and engaging experience for Premium+ subscribers.
In a related update, X has introduced a new setting that is enabled by default, allowing the platform to scrape user data for training Grok, its AI system. This includes collecting user interactions, inputs, and results to improve Grok’s performance. Users should be aware that their data may also be shared with X's service provider, xAl, for these purposes.
Previously, the option to disable this data collection setting was available only on the web version of X. However, X has now extended this option to its iOS and Android mobile apps. To manage this setting, users can navigate to:
Settings > Privacy & Safety > Grok > Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning
Here, users can turn off the setting if they prefer not to have their data used for these purposes.
Conclusion
The introduction of a fully ad-free Premium+ subscription represents a major advancement for X, demonstrating the platform's dedication to enhancing user experience and satisfaction. This upgrade signifies a significant shift from the previous model, where ads were still present even in the Premium+ plan. By eliminating all advertisements, X ensures that subscribers can now enjoy an uninterrupted browsing experience, free from any distractions. This enhancement not only refines the overall service but also caters to users who prioritize a seamless and immersive interaction with the platform.
In addition to the ad-free experience, X's commitment extends to addressing privacy concerns through new data management options. Subscribers now have greater control over how their data is used, especially with the recent updates regarding Grok, X's AI system. These changes reflect X's ongoing efforts to evolve its subscription offerings and privacy features, promising a more tailored, user-centric experience that aligns with contemporary user needs and preferences.