OpenAI has started testing ads in ChatGPT for logged-in adult users in the United States. The trial introduces sponsored content for the first time in the service's free and Go subscription tiers. The company confirmed the change in a blog post and said its other paid tiers remain ad-free.
OpenAI begins testing ads in ChatGPT
The ad test currently applies to logged-in adults using ChatGPT in the United States. Ads appear below ChatGPT responses, visually separated from answers and clearly labeled as sponsored. Subscribers on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans do not see these ads.
- The test covers ChatGPT's free tier and the ChatGPT Go plan.
- It is limited to logged-in adult users identified as based in the United States.
- Ads show only at the bottom of responses, not inside generated text.
- All sponsored messages carry a clear label and visual separation from answers.
- Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education subscriptions remain ad-free under OpenAI's current policy.
- OpenAI stated it will not show ads in conversations about health, mental health, or politics.
- Accounts identified as under 18 do not receive ads.
How ChatGPT ads work for free and Go users
OpenAI selects ads by matching advertiser submissions to the topic of a user's current conversation. The system also uses past chats and previous interactions with ads to refine contextual placement. Advertisers do not see individual conversations or personal details, receiving only aggregated metrics such as views and clicks.
Users can dismiss specific ads, view information about why an ad appeared, and switch off ad personalization settings. They can also clear ad-related data stored for their account. OpenAI says free users may choose a setting that turns off ads but lowers their daily message allowance.
Subscribers to ChatGPT Go who want an ad-free experience can upgrade to Plus or Pro plans. Adweek reported that OpenAI has confirmed a minimum advertising commitment of $200,000 for early ChatGPT ad buyers. Digiday reported that media buyers were quoted around $60 per 1,000 sponsored ad views during the initial United States test.
| ChatGPT tier | Ads in current test | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes, for logged-in adults in the United States | Users can turn ads off in exchange for fewer daily messages. |
| Go | Yes, for logged-in adults in the United States | $8 per month in the United States; upgrading to Plus or Pro removes ads. |
| Plus | No | Remains ad-free. |
| Pro | No | Remains ad-free. |
| Business | No | Remains ad-free. |
| Enterprise | No | Remains ad-free. |
| Education | No | Listed as ad-free in OpenAI's latest announcement. |
Background on OpenAI advertising plans and public statements
OpenAI first outlined its plans to test ads in a January 16 blog post. That post also introduced ChatGPT Go in the United States at a price of $8 per month. The company described five guiding principles covering its mission, answer independence, conversation privacy, user choice, and long-term value.
In its later Testing ads in ChatGPT announcement, OpenAI said these principles now apply to live ads. The announcement added Education accounts to the list of subscription tiers that will remain ad-free.
CNBC reported that Altman told employees ChatGPT has about 800 million weekly users and double-digit monthly growth. Separately, CNBC and other outlets report that Anthropic and Google leaders are not currently placing ads in Claude or Gemini chatbots.
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