Case Study
Eight Dollars
Protecting 20,000+ users from scams on Twitter with an open source Chrome extension
Role
Designer, Developer
Period
Nov 2022 — Dec 2022
Categories
Chrome ExtensionOpen SourceTwitter APIProduct DesignWeb Development
Eight Dollars is an open source Chrome extension that identifies which Twitter users paid $8 for a blue checkmark versus those who were verified under the original legacy system. It went viral in November 2022 after Elon Musk's rollout of Twitter Blue caused widespread impersonation and confusion.
Challenge
- Twitter Blue launched, allowing anyone to pay $8/month for a blue checkmark — the same badge previously reserved for identity-verified public figures.
- Impersonation accounts surged. Users had no way to tell whether a blue checkmark meant "verified identity" or just "paid $8."
- Scam accounts posing as brands and public figures were spreading misinformation with the appearance of legitimacy.
Response
- Will Seagar and I built a Chrome extension that cross-referenced Twitter's API to determine whether a user's checkmark was legacy-verified or paid.
- We open sourced the project on GitHub, enabling community contributions and transparency.
- The extension went viral, reaching 20,000+ users and getting featured across major tech publications globally.
Impact
20,000+
Chrome extension users
10+
Major press features worldwide
Media coverage
The VergeThis Chrome extension tells you who paid for Twitter's blue checkmarkEngadgetThis browser extension tells you who paid for Twitter verificationGizmodoVerified Impersonators Have Made a Mess Out of Twitter's $8 Blue CheckmarksNeowinThis browser extension lets you see who paid for a checkmark on Twitter and who is legitXDA DevelopersUse this Chrome extension to see who paid $8 for a blue checkmark on TwitterAndroid HeadlinesUse this Chrome extension to see who paid $8 for a blue checkmark on TwitterThe BitThis New Zealander's Chrome plug-in will tell you which Twitter users have more money than senseYahooThis browser extension tells you who paid for Twitter verification