OpenAI to include ads as ChatGPT tests a new revenue model
OpenAI to include ads marks a major shift in how the company plans to monetise ChatGPT, one of the world’s most widely used AI tools. The initial test will roll out in the coming weeks, targeting logged-in adult users on the free tier and the recently expanded ChatGPT Go plan, while higher-priced subscriptions will remain ad-free.
According to the company, the decision is aimed at making advanced AI tools accessible to more users without forcing them to pay higher subscription fees. OpenAI said its Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise plans will continue to operate without advertising.
During the test phase, ads will appear at the bottom of ChatGPT responses when there is a relevant sponsored product or service connected to the conversation. The company stressed that ads will be clearly labelled and kept separate from organic responses, and that advertising will not influence the answers generated by ChatGPT.
OpenAI to include ads comes with strict guardrails. The company said ads will not be shown to users who are, or are predicted to be, under the age of 18. Advertising will also be excluded from sensitive or regulated topics such as health, mental health and politics. Users will be able to see why a specific ad is being shown, dismiss ads, or turn off personalisation entirely.
The move coincides with the global expansion of ChatGPT Go, priced at $8 per month in the US, significantly cheaper than Plus and Pro subscriptions. The Go tier offers higher usage limits and additional features while introducing ads as part of a lower-cost access model.
Industry observers see the development as a pivotal moment for AI platforms. Marketing experts say user acceptance will depend less on the presence of ads and more on how seamlessly they are integrated into the experience. The shift also raises questions about whether conversational AI will become a new advertising channel or be absorbed into existing digital marketing frameworks.
OpenAI to include ads also reflects growing financial pressure. The company has committed massive sums toward AI infrastructure and is seeking diversified revenue streams beyond subscriptions and enterprise contracts. CEO Sam Altman has previously expressed discomfort with advertising, but acknowledged that many users want access to AI tools without paying.
Despite concerns around privacy, OpenAI reiterated that user conversations will never be sold to advertisers. Ads will be contextual, not driven by personal chat histories, and data controls will remain in users’ hands.
OpenAI to include ads represents a delicate balancing act between revenue generation and user trust. How well the company executes this transition could shape not only ChatGPT’s future, but also how advertising evolves across AI-driven platforms.
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