In short. Directory plugins may serve existing paid entitlements, but they cannot sell digital subscriptions or initiate upgrades.
Definition: As of 17 October 2026, OpenAI's ChatGPT Directory submission guidelines allow plugins to conduct commerce only for physical goods. They allow a user to sign in to an existing paid account and use features already included in that subscription, while prohibiting the plugin from selling digital subscriptions, starting a new subscription, or promoting an upgrade.
Key facts
- OpenAI's Directory submission guidelines say that digital products and services, including subscriptions, digital content, tokens, and credits, cannot be sold directly or indirectly.
- The same guidelines allow users to sign in to an existing paid account and access features already included in its subscription.
- A plugin may explain that a feature needs a different plan or entitlement and may link to an informational page about plan options, but it may not start a checkout or transaction flow.
- OpenAI's Sign in with ChatGPT UI/UX guidance tells apps to distinguish ChatGPT plan usage from the app's own subscription or charges.
What can a Directory plugin sell?
The submission guidelines set a product boundary: “Currently, plugins may conduct commerce only for physical goods.” They then include digital products and services in the prohibited category, covering subscriptions, digital content, tokens, and credits. The rule applies when the offer is direct and when it is indirect, such as a freemium upsell. A plugin that sells a physical product can use external checkout on its own domain, because the same guidelines say that plugins should direct users to complete purchases there.
The distinction concerns the thing being sold. A digital subscription remains a digital service when the user reaches the offer through a free feature, a plan comparison, or a link from the plugin. The guidelines also prohibit a plugin from applying ChatGPT-specific fees, surcharges, or other pricing that penalizes access through ChatGPT.
What may a plugin do for an existing paid account?
OpenAI's commerce and monetization guidance permits a user to sign in to an existing paid account and access features already included in that account's subscription. This is an access rule for an entitlement the user already has. The plugin must not display subscription plans, initiate a new subscription, or promote an upgrade.
If the user's current plan or entitlement does not include a feature, the plugin may explain that limitation. It may also link to an informational page describing available plans or entitlement options. The permitted explanation helps the user understand why the feature is unavailable; it cannot initiate checkout or another transaction flow. A direct link to a checkout page, or to a page that explicitly begins an upgrade, subscription, or purchase process, is prohibited.
How should the app separate its plans from ChatGPT plan usage?
OpenAI's UI/UX guidelines for Sign in with ChatGPT address a separate account and plan-usage flow. They say that users should be told when the app uses their ChatGPT plan, where usage can be managed, and what happens when a limit is reached. They also require a clear distinction between ChatGPT plan usage and the app's own subscription or charges.
That guidance says an app must clearly show which of its plans support ChatGPT plan usage on its pricing or plan-comparison page. This describes plan eligibility and user communication for the Sign in with ChatGPT flow. It does not change the Directory submission rule for a plugin selling digital subscriptions: the Directory guideline still permits existing entitlement access and informational plan explanations, while it bars a new digital subscription flow.
Related terms
FAQ
Can a ChatGPT Directory plugin sell a digital subscription?
No. The submission guidelines allow plugin commerce only for physical goods and prohibit selling digital products or services, including subscriptions, whether the offer is direct or indirect.
Can a paid customer use the plugin without buying again?
Yes, when the customer signs in to an existing paid account and the requested features are already included in that subscription. The plugin may explain a plan limitation, but it cannot start a new subscription or promote an upgrade.
Can the plugin link to the provider's pricing page?
It may link to an informational page describing plans or entitlements. It may not link directly to checkout or to a page that begins an upgrade, subscription, or purchase process.
Sources
- OpenAI, "Plugin guidelines", accessed 17 October 2026
- OpenAI, "UI/UX guidelines", accessed 17 October 2026
Check how a page reads to answer engines. Open the GEO score analyzer