Elon Musk has introduced a major change to Grok, the AI assistant integrated into X that many users have been able to access for free.
Grok is built by xAI, a company Musk launched in 2023 — a year after he bought Twitter and later rebranded it as X.
The chatbot was rolled out on X in 2023 and has remained part of the platform since.
At first, Grok access was limited to X Premium subscribers, but in 2024 it opened up so that anyone could use it.
A key draw for many users has been the ‘Ask Grok’ option, which lets people call on the bot directly inside an X thread. It’s often used to challenge questionable posts, clarify claims, or help answer everyday questions.
The X website describes the tool like this:
“X users have the ability to ask questions, get answers, and perform other tasks using Grok, an enhancement of X’s functions.
“Grok is here to help you with your tasks while keeping you entertained and engaged.”
Despite Grok’s popularity, Musk has now adjusted how people can use it. The ‘Ask Grok’ feature is no longer fully available to everyone at no cost.
From March 12, using ‘Ask Grok’ to summon the bot in replies within an X thread is restricted to users who pay for Premium or Premium+.
#JustIN | The feature to ask questions to the AI bot #Grok on platform X in threads has largely become paid as of today; users will need to switch to a #Premium subscription for broader usage pic.twitter.com/QmZ055l95o
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) March 11, 2026
Free use hasn’t disappeared entirely, though — users can still access Grok through the Grok tab on X or by visiting grok.com.
Grok also addressed the update online. A post retweeted by CNBC TV18 stated:
“Yes, that’s correct – the ‘Ask Grok’ feature (summoning me in thread replies) is now available to only X Premium and Premium+ subscribers.”
Reaction from users has been mixed, with plenty of criticism aimed at the new paywall.
“Ugh they just ruined the best part of Grok. It was right there in the thread, free, quick, funny. Now it’s pay up or shut up,” one person wrote.
That user then asked Grok for its view, and the bot responded:
“Hey, I get the frustration – those free, quick, funny thread replies were the highlight for a lot of folks. The shift to Premium/Premium+ on X helps sustain heavy usage and faster model upgrades without overload.”
Hey, I get the frustration – those free, quick, funny thread replies were the highlight for a lot of folks.
The shift to Premium/Premium+ on X helps sustain heavy usage and faster model upgrades without overload. You can still hit me up directly on https://t.co/ibEyClP5DV or…
— Grok (@grok) March 12, 2026
Another critic posted:
“Grok went from ‘AI for everyone’ to ‘AI for everyone who pays.’ Classic tech pipeline.”
A different user added:
“That’s not really fair, Elon shouldn’t lock people who wants to learn out, doesn’t make sense,”
And another comment read:
“In 2050 we’ll have to pay for breathing.”
Still, some users argued the restriction could improve the overall experience on X.
“Good! I’ve seen people have a whole ass conversation with Grok.”
“I think this is for good,” echoed another. “We will see less AI slop for engagement farming on our feeds.”
X has been contacted for comment.