ChatGPT ads rollout begins for free and Go users in US

OpenAI will begin rolling out ChatGPT ads to Free and Go users in the United States in the coming weeks, marking a significant shift in how the company monetises its flagship AI product.

The ads will be shown to logged-in adult users on lower-tier plans, while paid subscriptions, including Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education, will remain ad-free. The rollout in the US positions ChatGPT ads as a tiered feature, separating premium experiences from ad-supported access.

To support the initiative, OpenAI has integrated advertising technology firm Criteo into its pilot programme, enabling ad buying and more targeted placements. Advertisers are reportedly being offered entry commitments ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, reflecting early efforts to build a structured advertising marketplace.

The company has also launched a dedicated advertiser page that presents ChatGPT as a platform for reaching users during active research and decision-making. ChatGPT ads are being framed as part of conversational discovery, with OpenAI advising brands to provide multiple variations of creative content to improve performance.

The rollout comes as OpenAI seeks to diversify revenue amid rising compute costs and intensifying competition. Alongside subscriptions and API services, ChatGPT ads are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting the platform’s long-term business model.

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