Frequently Asked Question #38

Yes, you can use LiveJournal for free. LiveJournal has five account types: Basic, Early Adopter, Plus, Paid, and Permanent. All LiveJournal accounts can use LiveJournal core features, such as posting entries and comments, customizing journal appearance, and participating in communities. For additional features, you can purchase a Paid Account (benefits) or upgrade to a Plus Account (benefits). A feature comparison chart is available.

Your account type is listed on your User Info page.

LiveJournal aims to offer all users the vital journaling features for free. However, due to the costs of running a website, such as server maintenance and bandwidth, some advanced features must be restricted to paying customers in order to keep the site running for everyone. Additionally, a few features are reserved for Paid Accounts to show appreciation to those who help support the site. The Plus account type gives you access to some premium features in exchange for viewing and displaying advertising.

When creating a new account, you can select a Plus Account (for free) or purchase a Paid Account directly from the account creation page. Existing users can upgrade to a Paid Account at any time. Additionally, Early Adopter and Permanent Accounts offer a special set of features.

Basic Accounts

Basic Accounts are available to all users who wish to downgrade at any time after account creation. They have fewer benefits and features than Plus and Paid Accounts; however, they will see and display less advertising than Plus Accounts. A Basic Account includes the following:

• Upload up to 6 userpics
• 25 subscriptions for notification of new posts, friends, comments, or events

Early Adopter Accounts

Early Adopter accounts were created before mid-September 2000. No account created after this date can be turned into an Early Adopter account. Early Adopter accounts have all Basic Account features, plus the following:

• Search the Directory.
• Create custom styles in the S1 and S2 style systems.

Permanent Accounts

Permanent Accounts are usually given to staff members or long-term volunteers who have contributed a significant amount of time and effort to the LiveJournal project. Although Permanent Accounts have been infrequently sold in the past, they are not guaranteed to be sold in the future. Future Permanent Account sales, if any, will be announced in the news journal.

Permanent Accounts have all Paid Account features without an expiration date, plus the following:

• Upload up to 150 userpics versus the 30 userpics offered to Paid accounts.
• Maximum number of loyalty userpics.
• Access to 15360 MB (15 GB) of ScrapBook photo storage space versus the 2 GB offered to Paid accounts.