Tumblr’s parody of paid verification has already delivered the social network and blogging platform a 125% boost in iOS in-app purchase revenue since November, according to a new analysis of the app’s in-app consumer spending. With its own purely cosmetic double blue checks, the company launched its response to Twitter’s paid verification hustle with the addition of a sense of humor that quickly emerged as popular among users.
One of Tumblr’s more controversial attempts to make money has been through its paid features. Initially, Post+ was met with community backlash because it was being outperformed from a monetization perspective by crabs – a goofy paid feature that let users send animated dancing crabs to each other’s dashboards. In the end, however, this strategy may have proven more successful in terms of attracting users and generating revenue than some of Tumblr’s more legitimate attempts.
Tumblr’s double-blue check joke has resulted in an evergreen source of revenue for the site. This strategy is likely paying off as Tumblr continues to grow in popularity and profitability.
Sensor Tower’s data suggests that Tumblr’s iOS app is becoming increasingly popular with consumers, with spending increasing by 125% since the app’s double-blue check launch in November. While this figure is not significant compared to other apps on the market, it does indicate that Tumblr may have potential for growth in the near future.
Tumblr has seen consistent growth in its revenue over the past few years, but blue checkmark approval may have had a larger effect on iOS app revenue than previously realized. The 19% increase in iOS in-app purchase revenue is a testament to Tumblr’s overall popularity and commitment to creating quality content.
Tumblr has been enjoying a boom in popularity thanks to its blue check mark, offering users a platform that is free and easy to use. However, it’s difficult to attribute the site’s recent increases in followers and engagement solely to the double blue check mark. New features like paid boosting and ad-free browsing have also helped fuel Tumblr’s growth.
One potential explanation for the increased spending by consumers after Twitter’s acquisition is that they may have been swayed by the new features offered in the update. The new features added include a timeline, Moments, and more unified messaging functionality across all social media platforms. These updates could be appealing to consumers who are used to using multiple platforms to communicate. Additionally, Twitter’s acquisition of Crashlytics may also have encouraged more people to purchase the app in order to improve their apps’ performance.
In the wake of larger social networks such as Twitter and Facebook halting censorship, many users turned to smaller, independent platforms for communication. In particular, Tumblr saw a significant increase in installs in November and December of 2018 due to increased interest in alternatives to Twitter. Following the resignation of Elon Musk from Tesla, many people began looking for new sources of information. This surge in interest may have helped promote niche social apps like Tumblr
Without some type of verification system in place, social media websites risk being plagued by scams and inaccurate information. Paid verification systems, like those offered by Twitter and Meta, help counteract this problem by requiring users to pay a small fee for assurance that the information they are sharing is accurate. Tumblr’s blue checkmark in-app purchase is an interesting example of how this system is being used; the checkmark serves as both a joke and an assurance that what the user posts is true. Despite its limited scope, paid verification systems have become increasingly common on social media websites as scams continue to plague these platforms.
Had Tumblr bundled its upgraded ad-free browsing features into an existing $4.99/month browsing subscription, it could have potentially boosted recurring revenue significantly. However, doing so as a joke may not have been well received by users, who were already upset about the site’s recent changes and price hikes.
The mobile subscription economy has become a popular solution for social platforms in the wake of Apple’s privacy changes. This economy is based on the idea that users will pay for access to specific services, instead of being forced to see ads. The subscription businesses have looked to the mobile subscription economy as a way to make up for decreased ad effectiveness and, as a result, increased revenue.
Some social media platforms are riderless horses – some are pulling hard, others have stopped. Some harnesses may be outdated, while others offer features that just weren’t available on older platforms. And as people move around to different services, new ones are born out of necessity or desire. Platform distinctions within the sector can get blurry and even contradictory at times.
That’s why Snapchat is launching a brand new premium feature called Snapchat+ which it hopes will lure users away from other platforms like Twitter and Facebook. One of the key differences between Snapchat+ and standard Snapchat is that users can now access a range of premium features like fancier filters and exclusive chats with friends (including celebrities). So far, 2.5 million people have paid for the added benefits which costs $10 per month or $130 per year (depending on your country). But unlike Twitter Blue and Meta Verified for Facebook and Instagram which include
Although Twitter has not yet made a convincing argument for its subscription, the company’s lack of success in gaining subscribers could mean that the platform isn’t as effective as it first appears. In addition, there are other social media platforms that offer similar features and are considerably more popular, such as Facebook and Instagram.
Despite Meta’s efforts to polish its user interface and reduce complicated features, it remains unclear how well the app will fare in the crowded mobile market. This uncertainty could dissuade some businesses from trying out Meta, while others may be willing to pay for improved visibility and customer service.
Tumblr has opted out of the paid verification space, which leaves it open to be taken advantage of by services such as Facebook. While it is unclear what this means for Tumblr’s relationship with the platform, its lack of involvement in the paid verification area may leave it vulnerable to being taken over by more established social media platforms.
While Tumblr has not generated revenues through more traditional means, it continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms with a large and engaged user base. This popularity, combined with Automattic’s expertise in managing large platforms, may translate into long-term monetization opportunities for the company.
Rumors are abound thatTumblr is planning toAnnouncethis upcoming departure from Twitter, but what does this mean for the platform? According to new owner Matt Mullenwag, Tumblr is intending to take on a new role within the decentralized space known as the Fediverse. This could suggest an ambitious path for Tumblr’s future, one thatoutside of paid verification or its parodies. While we can’t wait to see what this means for the platform, it will be interesting to see how farTumblr goes in diverging from its predecessor.
