Twitter To End Free Access to Its API With New Monetization Approach

Twitter's third-party developers will need to make a difficult decision soon.

The microblogging platform recently announced it would no longer offer API access to third-party developers for free soon in favor of a new monetization scheme that requires them to pay for continued access.

Twitter previously updated its developer rules in late January that quietly but effectively banned its third-party apps from using its API due to them being a substitute or a similar product to Twitter applications.

Twitter New API Rules Details

Twitter stated in a tweet it made through its official Twitter Dev account that it will no longer support free access to its v2 and v1.1 API come Feb. 9, preventing any Twitter third-party developer from continuing their apps in the process.

However, this blockage is not permanent. Those who are willing to pay a certain fee may acquire access to Twitter's API through a basic tier. Unfortunately, Twitter didn't mention the price third-party developers will need to pay for them to continue running their third-party Twitter apps. However, The company did say it is "committed" to enabling fast and comprehensive access so third-party developers can continue to build with it.

As such, it will reveal more details about the new rule next week, though it didn't disclose exactly when it will announce more about it. The company may probably reveal how its basic tier would work and how much third-party developers would need to pay for them to either start or continue running their third-party apps.

Twitter's announcement follows its decision to ban third-party developers from using its API due to them being a substitute or similar product to Twitter Applications.

You may remember that the company updated its third-party developer rules with a new clause stating that third-party apps are prohibited from using or accessing the Licensed Materials it provides to "create or attempt to create a substitute or similar service or product to the Twitter Applications."

Many developers were angered about the ban and the sudden change as no one from Twitter told them about it. Craig Hockenberry, principal at Iconfactory, even said they had no chance to properly thank their customers who had been with them for over a decade.

Why Is Twitter Monetizing Its API?

Twitter's move regarding its API is in line with its current efforts to create a positive cash flow and turn itself into a profitable company under Elon Musk's management.

You may remember that the company previously put many of its properties to auction, including a bird statue, a six-foot decorative planter shaped like an "@" sign, and a blue electric light show like the Twitter bird emblem to pay rent for its many offices worldwide.

The company was reportedly considering auctioning popular usernames off to keep itself from sinking due to its revenue not being enough to keep it afloat.

More prominently, the layoffs that occurred during the initial months of Musk's takeover freed up a significant amount of cash for the company to stay afloat for a longer period.