OpenAI To Introduce Advertising In ChatGPT

OpenAI plans to begin testing advertising in ChatGPT’s free and entry-level subscription tiers as it expands access to the platform, while keeping higher-tier plans ad-free. The move is intended to support broader use of ChatGPT with fewer limitations, the company said.

The advertising tests will initially take place in the United States and will apply only to the free version and the ChatGPT Go plan. Paid subscriptions, including Pro, Business, and Enterprise, will remain free of advertisements. OpenAI said ads will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, and conversations with the AI will remain private.

ChatGPT Go, priced at $8 per month, has been available since August in 171 countries and offers features such as messaging, image generation, file uploads, and memory. OpenAI said the plan will soon be launched in the US as part of its wider access strategy.

The company said user trust and data privacy are central to its advertising approach. According to OpenAI, user data will not be sold to advertisers, ads will be clearly labelled and separated from AI-generated answers, and users will retain control over personalization settings. Users will also be able to opt out of ads or choose ad-free subscription options.

OpenAI said advertisements will appear at the bottom of responses when relevant to a user’s query. The company plans to avoid displaying ads to minors or in sensitive areas such as health, mental health, and politics. Early ad formats are expected to include sponsored recommendations, such as product or travel-related listings.

The company said advertising could also provide opportunities for small businesses and emerging brands to reach users through AI-powered experiences. OpenAI added that it will adjust its approach based on user feedback.

OpenAI said its long-term strategy is to build a diversified revenue model combining subscriptions and advertising to support wider access to AI, while prioritising user experience, trust, and privacy.