Elon Musk’s X is limiting users on the free plan’s access to two essential parts of its developer Free API in an attempt to reduce misuse and fraudulent interaction. Free users will no longer be able to follow other users or use the API to like posts on behalf other users.
According to the business, these modifications will aid in defending X’s platform from “spam, bots, and manipulative activities” that harm user experience.
There will be no impact on developers using paid plans such as the Basic, Pro, or Enterprise tiers. These plans also support a wider range of features, have larger rate limitations, and give access to more capabilities.
Limiting access to some of the most popular X actions may reduce programmatic misuse, but it may also encourage developers with valid projects or businesses to continue moving onto paying plans.
Under Musk, X has made several major changes to its API platform, first discontinuing free access with little notice to developers and then reversing course to allow limited free usage.
It was evident that the corporation had revenue generating in mind when its new API pricing was introduced in the spring of 2023, as its most basic plan would only support companies who offered “good bots”—automated accounts that gave helpful information, such as weather warnings.
In addition, X raised the monthly cost of its entry-level plan from $100 to $200 in October of last year and introduced higher limitations.
