Overview
- On Monday OpenAI announced it will begin U.S. tests later this month of image-based ads that appear below the progress bar while ChatGPT generates images.
- The company says the ads will be clearly labeled, kept separate from user-created images, and will not influence ChatGPT’s outputs.
- Paying subscribers on Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans will not see the ads, which OpenAI frames as a way to fund free access and costly image-generation compute.
- OpenAI is expanding measurement and attribution integrations with partners such as AppsFlyer, Kochava, Adjust, Hightouch, Tealium, LiveRamp, and Triple Whale to let advertisers track conversions beyond last-click metrics.
- Advertisers remain skeptical because inventory is limited — ChatGPT handles far fewer daily prompts than search and offers a single prominent ad placement — so OpenAI is also running brand-suitability pilots with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science that do not require access to private conversations.