OpenAI Begins Testing Ads in ChatGPT for Free Users

SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI launched ad testing in ChatGPT for U.S. users on Free and Go subscription tiers, days after rival Anthropic mocked the move in Super Bowl commercials.

OpenAI stated ads will not influence ChatGPT answers and conversations stay private from advertisers. Ads appear clearly labeled at the bottom of responses, matched to conversation topics, past chats, and previous ad interactions.

The $8-per-month Go plan users will see ads alongside free tier users. Subscribers to Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education tiers remain ad-free.

Users researching recipes might see grocery delivery or meal kit ads. Advertisers receive only aggregate performance data like views and clicks, not access to chats, history, memories, or personal details.

Major agencies including Omnicom Media and Dentsu participated in early testing. Ad Age reports strong advertiser interest despite consumer resistance.

Anthropic’s Super Bowl ads portrayed glassy-eyed AI chatbots delivering advice alongside poorly targeted advertisements. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the commercials “dishonest” and Anthropic an “authoritarian company.”

Users can dismiss ads, share feedback, view targeting explanations, delete ad data, and manage personalization settings. Ads won’t appear for users under 18 or near sensitive topics like health, politics, or mental health.

OpenAI needs revenue to cover mounting development costs. The company faces backlash after testing app suggestions that resembled unwanted ads in December.

Internal documents forecast $1 billion from “free user monetization” in 2026, growing to $25 billion by 2029.