X unveils Radar, a real-time search tool available for Premium+ subscribers

In a bid to enhance its platform’s utility and real-time engagement, X (formerly known as Twitter) has introduced a new feature called Radar, available exclusively to Premium+ subscribers. This tool aims to revolutionise how users interact with live content, offering a powerful, real-time search capability that is expected to transform the way people follow trending topics, news, and events as they unfold.
Radar is designed to provide Premium+ users with instant access to up-to-the-second updates on trending topics, breaking news, and live events. Unlike traditional search functions, which rely on historical data or general search algorithms, it focuses on delivering real-time results as they happen. Whether it’s sports updates, political developments, or viral moments, Radar enables users to search for and engage with content at the very moment it’s being discussed.
Previously known as Insights, the tool was originally aimed at Verified Organisations (businesses), giving marketers the ability to monitor topics and trends within the app. But the rebranded tool, Radar is particularly appealing for users who want to stay at the forefront of social conversations or those whose professions demand immediate access to the latest information. Journalists, content creators, marketers, and even casual users with a keen interest in breaking news will likely find Radar an indispensable tool in their daily online routines.
Radar leverages X’s massive, fast-moving data stream to surface relevant content based on live events. Users can type in keywords or hashtags, and instead of being directed to general search results, they will see the latest updates related to their query, filtered by time and relevance. This real-time functionality allows Premium+ subscribers to monitor discussions as they develop, providing a more dynamic and immersive experience than what’s currently available to regular users.
For example, during a major event like a sports match or an election night, Radar would provide users with the most current tweets, images, and videos related to the event. The results are refreshed continuously, ensuring that subscribers don’t miss out on any critical updates.
By limiting access to Premium+ subscribers, X is positioning Radar as a high-value feature for its top-tier members. This aligns with the platform’s broader strategy of offering enhanced tools and functionalities to its paying user base.
Premium+ subscribers already enjoy benefits such as an ad-free experience, longer post visibility, and now, with the addition of Radar, a competitive edge in accessing real-time information. This high-end subscription offers more, like a verified checkmark, the ability to edit posts, and more for $16 per month or $168 per year, when subscribing via the web.
This move could potentially attract more users to upgrade their subscription plans, as the demand for real-time information in an increasingly fast-paced digital world continues to grow. It also aligns with X’s efforts to monetise its platform more effectively by offering exclusive, powerful features that cater to specific user needs.