Twitter is set to purge inactive accounts from its platform, freeing up a number of long-coveted usernames, according to recent tweets by owner Elon Musk.

While Twitter has had an inactive account policy in place for years, which suggests that users should log in at least every 30 days to keep accounts from being permanently removed, the company has yet to make any large-scale effort to put usernames back into rotation. However, Musk clarified that Twitter’s purge is more conservative than its policy states. The company is purging accounts that have had “no activity at all for several years,” and warns that this may result in users’ follower counts dropping, which could be more noticeable for longtime Twitter accounts that amassed a large following during Twitter’s early days.

In response to a question about username availability, Musk confirmed that a lot of usernames will become available as a result of this move. While it’s not clear how users will be able to acquire these usernames beyond the usual method of trying to create a new account with a particular name, Twitter had previously considered selling desired usernames through online auctions to generate additional revenue. It’s not known if this plan is still in play or how it will work, if so.

Since Musk took over Twitter, the social network has faced increased competition from Twitter alternatives, including Mastodon, Bluesky, and other Twitter clones. By opening up coveted usernames, Musk could potentially lure lapsed users back to Twitter, which could benefit the network effects and ultimately Twitter’s ability to generate revenue.

However, it’s important to note that Musk’s tweets don’t always come to fruition in the time frame he suggests. So far, neither the official Twitter account nor the Twitter Support account has shared any updates related to the potential username land grab or other details about this process. Many people have asked if there will be a way to memorialize the accounts of those who have passed, rather than deleting them, but this has not been addressed yet.

Overall, while the move to purge inactive accounts may free up desirable usernames, it remains to be seen how Twitter plans to handle the influx of available names and how it will balance this with the needs and wishes of its users.

Twitter is set to purge inactive accounts from its platform, freeing up a number of long-coveted usernames, according to recent tweets by owner Elon Musk.

While Twitter has had an inactive account policy in place for years, which suggests that users should log in at least every 30 days to keep accounts from being permanently removed, the company has yet to make any large-scale effort to put usernames back into rotation. However, Musk clarified that Twitter’s purge is more conservative than its policy states. The company is purging accounts that have had “no activity at all for several years,” and warns that this may result in users’ follower counts dropping, which could be more noticeable for longtime Twitter accounts that amassed a large following during Twitter’s early days.

In response to a question about username availability, Musk confirmed that a lot of usernames will become available as a result of this move. While it’s not clear how users will be able to acquire these usernames beyond the usual method of trying to create a new account with a particular name, Twitter had previously considered selling desired usernames through online auctions to generate additional revenue. It’s not known if this plan is still in play or how it will work, if so.

Since Musk took over Twitter, the social network has faced increased competition from Twitter alternatives, including Mastodon, Bluesky, and other Twitter clones. By opening up coveted usernames, Musk could potentially lure lapsed users back to Twitter, which could benefit the network effects and ultimately Twitter’s ability to generate revenue.

However, it’s important to note that Musk’s tweets don’t always come to fruition in the time frame he suggests. So far, neither the official Twitter account nor the Twitter Support account has shared any updates related to the potential username land grab or other details about this process. Many people have asked if there will be a way to memorialize the accounts of those who have passed, rather than deleting them, but this has not been addressed yet.

Overall, while the move to purge inactive accounts may free up desirable usernames, it remains to be seen how Twitter plans to handle the influx of available names and how it will balance this with the needs and wishes of its users.