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OpenAI Begins Testing Ads in ChatGPT for Free and New Go Users

The test introduces clearly labeled, context‑aware promotions with opt‑outs and sensitive‑topic blocks.

Overview

  • The initial rollout in the U.S. targets free users and the new $8‑per‑month ChatGPT Go tier, while Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise remain ad‑free.
  • Promotions appear as separate "Sponsored" modules below ChatGPT answers, and OpenAI says paid placements will not influence the model’s responses.
  • Users can turn off conversation‑based ad personalization and clear ad data, with OpenAI pledging not to sell user information.
  • Ads are automatically blocked in health, mental‑health and political contexts, and users under 18 do not see ads based on self‑reported age or an age‑prediction model.
  • Analysts estimate first‑year ad revenue in a roughly $2–7 billion range, a material offset to high compute and R&D costs as OpenAI leans into monetization amid competitive pressure and recent ad‑industry hires.