The USC/Annenberg 2010 Digital Future Report reveals that 0% (yes, ZERO) of Twitter users would be willing to pay for Twitter:

Such an extreme finding that produced a zero response underscores the difficulty of getting Internet users to pay for anything that they already receive for free,” said Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.

A majority (55%) say they would rather see advertising than pay for content/usage; however, 70% say that Internet advertising is “annoying.”

The report also includes data about how Americans use the Internet:

82% use the Internet
65% buy online
50% use instant messengers
79% Blog
80% participate in chat rooms

But, just like how charging for Twitter would keep users out, USC/Annenberg is charging $500 for individuals and $1,500 for corporations to see the full report - thus killing any chance of me actually exploring it any further.

It’s just like Cole says in the summary (pdf) “Internet users can obtain content in three ways: they can steal it, or pay for it, or accept advertising on the web pages they view.”  My advice to Cole - sell ads on your webpage so we can put your report to good use.