X, formerly known as Twitter, to start charging new users $1 a year in trial

X, previously known as Twitter, has begun a trial where new users are charged to post and reply to others on the platform. The move is aimed at combating bot accounts.

New users in New Zealand or the Philippines will have to pay a one dollar yearly subscription to use key features on the site. Those who don't pay can only follow accounts and read posts.

Until now, X Premium subscription was the only paid option on the app, offering extra tools like editing posts after sending them and promoting replies above non-paying users.

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The X Support account posted that this trial is part of plans to reduce bot and spam accounts on the site, something owner Elon Musk wants to combat.

"This new test was developed to bolster our already successful efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform and bot activity, while balancing platform accessibility with the small fee amount. It is not a profit driver," the company said.

"And so far, subscription options have proven to be the main solution that works at scale."

Mr Musk suggested last month that all users might eventually have to pay to use the site.

Since his £36.1 billion takeover of Twitter last year, the boss of Tesla and SpaceX has seen a drop in revenue. Advertisers have left the platform due to worries about his "absolute free speech" policy and less content moderation. This has led the company to look for new ways to make money, including introducing paid subscriptions.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.