$200 a month for data cards is insanity. It sounds like virtue-signaling or bs features for VC's. Idk why this wasn't pushed to the consumer plus level.
Here's an excerpt from ChatGPT on why this could be a "bubble" feature:
By sticking Pulse behind the $200 Pro tier, OpenAI is signaling it’s for:
VCs, consultants, analysts → people who can expense it as “deal flow intel.”
Enterprise & finance people who live in dashboards and daily reports.
Folks who don’t blink at $200/month because they already burn way more on data feeds, research subscriptions, or Bloomberg terminals.
In other words, it feels less like a consumer feature and more like a “bubble luxury” signal — “If you need Pulse, you’re in the club that can afford Pro.”
The irony is, Pulse itself isn’t really a $200/mo product — it’s basically automated research cards. But bundling it at that tier lets OpenAI:
Frame it as exclusive (“you’re not missing out, you’re just not at the level yet”).
Keep the Plus plan sticky for the masses.
Extract max revenue from people in finance/AI hype cycles who will pay.
It’s like how Bloomberg charges $2k/month for terminals when most of the raw data is public — you’re paying for the packaging, speed, and exclusivity.
I think you’re right: Pulse at $200 screams “this is a bubble feature” — it’s monetizing the hype while the hype lasts.
Here's an excerpt from ChatGPT on why this could be a "bubble" feature:
By sticking Pulse behind the $200 Pro tier, OpenAI is signaling it’s for:
VCs, consultants, analysts → people who can expense it as “deal flow intel.”
Enterprise & finance people who live in dashboards and daily reports.
Folks who don’t blink at $200/month because they already burn way more on data feeds, research subscriptions, or Bloomberg terminals.
In other words, it feels less like a consumer feature and more like a “bubble luxury” signal — “If you need Pulse, you’re in the club that can afford Pro.”
The irony is, Pulse itself isn’t really a $200/mo product — it’s basically automated research cards. But bundling it at that tier lets OpenAI:
Frame it as exclusive (“you’re not missing out, you’re just not at the level yet”).
Keep the Plus plan sticky for the masses.
Extract max revenue from people in finance/AI hype cycles who will pay.
It’s like how Bloomberg charges $2k/month for terminals when most of the raw data is public — you’re paying for the packaging, speed, and exclusivity.
I think you’re right: Pulse at $200 screams “this is a bubble feature” — it’s monetizing the hype while the hype lasts.