In a notable shift from its existing user model, Claude.ai, the web interface for Anthropic’s Claude 2, has begun limiting access for unpaid users.

Screenshot from Claude.ai, August 2023

Claude.ai, in open beta, gives users access to the latest model of Claude with 100k context windows (175 pages of text) and file upload capability.

Screenshot from Claude, August 2023

Alongside the messages about Claude’s limitations, Anthropic invited its users to sign up for notifications about paid plans and participate in a survey to gauge interest in Claude’s use cases and features.

Gauging Interest In Claude Premium

In a survey provided by Antrhopic,  users are asked about their patterns, preferences over similar applications, and willingness to pay for premium features.

The information obtained from this survey will likely drive the product development strategy for a more helpful version for professionals who work with large amounts of data.

Questions range from where you use Claude to other chatbots you use, including ChatGPT, Google Bard, Poe by Quora, YouChat, and Bing Chat.

The survey asks why users prefer Claude over competing apps, with options including longer memory for conversations, a more human-like experience, and faster responses.

Moreover, participants are asked to rate how likely they are to pay $50 monthly for a premium version offering more messages, reliable uptime, and other premium features.

Screenshot from Claude.ai, August 2023

Competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Poe by Quora (which offers access to Claude without file uploads), and Perplexity charge $20 per month to access premium and experimental features.

Google Bard and Bing AI chat access is free with a Google or Microsoft account.

The survey also invites users to participate in future surveys and compensated interviews about Claude’s upcoming plans and features.

In addition, Anthropic has a separate form for businesses interested in Claude plus current model pricing.

Screenshot from Anthropic, August 2023

Focusing On The Needs Of Professional Users

Claude.ai’s shift toward limiting free users while simultaneously probing for a premium subscription model indicates a transitional phase shared by most companies that develop AI products.

By engaging with its users and seeking firsthand insights, Claude.ai appears poised to refine its offerings and ensure alignment with its professional user base.

Exploring a premium version at $50 per month reveals an ambitious strategy to monetize while meeting user demands.

It remains to be seen how this move will resonate with the current user community and what features the premium version will encompass.

This development signifies a trend in AI-driven chat products moving towards monetization through premium subscriptions, ultimately impacting which tool businesses and marketing professionals choose for their needs.

Featured image: T. Schneider/Shutterstock