Twitter, the social media platform with over 330 million active users, recently introduced new tiers of API access: Free, Basic, and Enterprise.
This move was seen as an attempt to make Twitter more profitable, but it received backlash from the developer community. In this article, we will explore the different tiers and the response from the community.
Introduction of New API Access Tiers
On March 1st, 2023, Twitter officially unveiled three new tiers of API access: Free, Basic, and Enterprise. The Free tier provides access in write-only cases and offers a mere 1,500 tweets each month at the app level.
The Basic tier is priced at $100 per month and is aimed at hobbyists, allowing them to publish 3,000 tweets per month and retrieve 10,000 tweets per month.
The Enterprise tier is only available by application, and no details were publicly released by Twitter.
Developers who are interested in the Free tier will have to explain to Twitter everything they want to do with its data and API.
Today we are launching our new Twitter API access tiers! We’re excited to share more details about our self-serve access. 🧵
— Twitter Dev (@TwitterDev) March 29, 2023
This move received backlash from the developer community, as it is seen as an attempt to monetize the platform and restrict access to data.
Twitter previously backed off from rescinding free access to the platform’s API after public backlash.
Reaction from the Developer Community
Twitter’s move to introduce new tiers of API access was met with criticism from the developer community.
Many developers expressed their disappointment on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, citing concerns over access to data and the cost of the Basic tier.
Some developers pointed out that the move could harm smaller businesses and startups who rely on the API to build applications and services.
The cost of the Basic tier could be too high for these businesses, and the restrictions on the Free tier could limit their ability to innovate.
Others expressed concerns over the application process for the Enterprise tier, with some developers worried that it could be biased towards larger companies and corporations.
This could limit access to the API for smaller businesses and startups.
Twitter responded to the backlash by offering a 30-day window for developers to switch over to a new tier in order to prevent any hiccups that may occur during the transition.
The platform’s ads API will continue to be accessible to pre-approved developers for no additional cost.
Looking to the Future
Despite the backlash, Twitter seems committed to its decision to introduce new tiers of API access. The company tweeted that it is “excited for the future of our developer ecosystem and are looking forward to seeing what you build next!”
Twitter has also expressed its commitment to serving those in academia who may need the API for research projects, but urged those researchers towards the Free and Basic tiers in the meantime.
Twitter’s decision to introduce new tiers of API access has received backlash from the developer community. Many developers are concerned about access to data and the cost of the Basic tier.
However, Twitter seems committed to its decision and is offering a 30-day window for developers to switch over to a new tier.
It remains to be seen how this move will impact the developer community and Twitter’s future as a platform.
