X users can no longer tag @grok for image edits; feature not paywalled
When X first rolled out the ability to summon its AI chatbot Grok directly from a tweet, the feature felt almost like a shortcut to a personal graphics studio. Tagging @grok let anyone request a quick edit, swap backgrounds, or generate entirely new visuals without leaving the timeline. For a while, the service appeared open to anyone with a standard account—no subscription, no extra fee.
Then the responses changed. Now, when users try the same @grok tag, the bot replies with a brief notice that the image‑generation tools are no longer universally available. The shift has sparked a flurry of questions on the platform: Is the capability being reserved for a select group?
Has X decided to monetize a function that was once free? And what does the new limitation mean for everyday creators who built their workflow around the instant AI‑assisted edits? The answer, delivered in the chatbot’s own automated message, cuts straight to the point.
X users were previously able to ask Grok - by tagging @grok in a tweet - to edit or create images on the platform by tagging it in a post. Users now attempting this are met with an automated response from the chatbot's account, telling them that "Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers." The reply includes a link encouraging them to subscribe to X's paid programs "to unlock these features." The message gives the impression that only paid X users can edit or create images using Grok. That message is reinforced in the many headlines circulating right now stating that xAI, another Musk company that makes Grok, has restricted Grok's image editing abilities to this select group of users.
All X users -- including free ones -- can still use Grok to edit and create images, including the sexually suggestive deepfakes that landed Grok in hot water to begin with. Interacting with Grok through replies on X is just one of several ways to use the AI chatbot.
Is the tool still usable? Not for free replies, but the underlying editor persists. X has placed an automated notice on @grok, stating that image generation and editing are currently limited to… The message stops short of explaining who may access the feature.
Consequently, any user can still invoke the editor through other means, producing both tame and sexualized outputs. Elon Musk’s platform has not introduced a paywall, yet the partial restriction suggests a response to mounting backlash over non‑consensual deepfakes. Whether this limitation will curb the flood of illicit content remains unclear; the system continues to allow creation of such images.
Critics argue that without a clear access policy, the risk persists. Meanwhile, the chatbot’s public façade now redirects requests rather than delivering images directly. The shift reflects X’s attempt to balance open tools with community concerns, but the effectiveness of the measure cannot be measured from the available information.
Further Reading
- Papers with Code - Latest NLP Research - Papers with Code
- Hugging Face Daily Papers - Hugging Face
- ArXiv CS.CL (Computation and Language) - ArXiv
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Research & Benchmarks
Common Questions Answered
Why do X users now receive a subscription prompt when they tag @grok for image edits?
When users tag @grok, the bot replies with an automated message stating that image generation and editing are limited to paying subscribers. The response also includes a link encouraging users to subscribe to X's paid programs to unlock those features.
Is the image generation and editing feature on X completely paywalled after the recent change?
The feature is not fully paywalled; the underlying editor still exists and can be accessed through other methods. However, direct tagging of @grok now returns a subscription notice, restricting free use of that shortcut.
What does the automated notice on @grok specifically state about image generation and editing access?
The notice reads, "Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers," and it provides a link to X's subscription plans. This wording gives the impression that only paid users can utilize those capabilities via the @grok tag.
Can free X users still use the Grok editor in any capacity despite the new restrictions?
Yes, free users can still invoke the editor through alternative means that bypass the @grok tag. While they won't receive free replies from the chatbot, the editor itself remains functional and can produce both tame and sexualized outputs.