OpenAI has officially announced that it has started trials of advertisements within its ChatGPT platform for select users in the United States.
This marks a significant shift for the company, which until now has avoided traditional advertising models. The testing phase is limited in scope and is designed to assess how ads can coexist with AI-driven conversations without disrupting user experience. OpenAI has stressed that this experiment is still in its early stages.
The company confirmed that advertisements will initially appear for users on the free version of ChatGPT, as well as those subscribed to the recently launched “Go” plan. This lower-priced tier offers basic access while keeping premium features reserved for higher subscriptions. OpenAI sees this structure as a way to maintain flexibility in how users access the platform.
According to OpenAI, ads will be clearly separated from ChatGPT’s responses so users can easily distinguish between AI-generated content and promotional material. This visual and contextual separation is intended to avoid confusion and preserve trust. The company has reiterated that transparency remains a core principle in the rollout of ads.
Commitment to User Trust and Transparency
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive officer, emphasized that the company will not allow advertisers to influence the answers provided by ChatGPT. He stated that OpenAI will never accept payment to change, suppress, or prioritize responses based on commercial interests. This rule applies across all versions of the platform.
Altman also assured users that private conversations will not be shared with advertisers. While limited data may be used to determine ad relevance, personal chat histories will remain confidential. OpenAI says this boundary is non-negotiable and central to protecting user privacy.
In addition, the company highlighted that ads will not appear alongside responses involving sensitive topics. These include areas such as mental health, medical advice, or political content. OpenAI aims to avoid situations where advertising could feel intrusive or inappropriate.
Users will also have access to settings that allow them to control how ads are personalized. They can disable targeted advertising features or clear stored data related to ad preferences. This gives users greater agency over how the system interacts with them.
Advertising as a Revenue Strategy
OpenAI explained that advertising could help support the growing costs associated with running advanced AI systems. Training and maintaining large-scale models requires substantial computing resources, which are expensive to operate. Ads may help offset these costs while keeping basic access free.
The company noted that it does not intend to maximize user engagement simply to display more advertisements. Instead, OpenAI says it remains focused on delivering useful, efficient interactions. The goal is to support sustainability without sacrificing quality or usability.
Higher-tier subscriptions, including Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans, will remain completely ad-free. OpenAI sees this as a key benefit for paying users and a clear incentive to upgrade. This approach mirrors strategies used by many digital platforms today.
Analysts have suggested that OpenAI’s move reflects a broader trend across the technology sector. As AI tools become more widely used, companies are seeking new revenue streams that balance accessibility with financial sustainability. Advertising is seen as one such option.
What This Means for the Future of ChatGPT
During the testing phase, OpenAI will closely monitor user reactions to ads. Feedback will play a critical role in determining whether the model is expanded or revised. The company has said it is prepared to adjust placement, frequency, or formats based on user sentiment.
OpenAI has limited the initial rollout to adult users in the United States. Accounts belonging to users under the age of 18 will not see advertisements. The company has not announced a timeline for international expansion.
Ads are expected to appear at natural breaks in conversations, such as at the end of a chat session. OpenAI wants to avoid interrupting ongoing discussions or disrupting the flow of interaction. Context relevance will be a key factor in determining ad placement.
Users will also be able to view explanations for why a specific advertisement was shown to them. This added transparency is meant to help users feel informed rather than targeted. Feedback tools will allow users to dismiss or rate ads.
While this shift represents a change in how ChatGPT operates, OpenAI maintains that its mission remains unchanged. The company says it is focused on making AI widely accessible while upholding ethical standards. Ads, it argues, are a tool—not a driver—of the platform’s intelligence.
As testing continues, OpenAI will evaluate whether advertising can coexist with AI in a way that benefits both users and the company. If successful, the approach could shape how future AI platforms balance innovation, access, and sustainability.
