ChatGPT To Introduce Interactive Ads In Free And Go Tiers As OpenAI Tests New Revenue Model
In Brief
OpenAI plans to introduce interactive advertising to ChatGPT’s free and low-cost tiers in the US, aiming to expand access while keeping AI responses independent, user data private, and subscriptions ad-free.
AI research organization OpenAI disclosed that it has begun preparations to introduce targeted advertising into ChatGPT, marking a shift in its monetization strategy as the company moves toward a potential public offering in late 2026. The initial testing phase will apply to users in the United States who access the service through the free tier or the low-cost ChatGPT Go subscription, while paid tiers such as Pro, Business, and Enterprise will remain free of advertising.
The company framed the move as part of a broader effort to expand access to advanced AI tools. ChatGPT Go, which launched in 171 countries earlier this year, is now being rolled out to the United States and other regions where ChatGPT is available, offering enhanced features such as extended messaging limits, image generation, file uploads, and memory for a monthly fee of eight dollars. OpenAI indicated that introducing ads would allow more users to benefit from its services with fewer usage restrictions or without the need to subscribe, positioning advertising as a way to support wider accessibility rather than as a core revenue driver.
OpenAI emphasized that user trust remains central to its approach. The organization stated that advertising will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, which are intended to remain optimized solely for usefulness and relevance. Ads will be displayed separately from organic answers and will be clearly labeled. The company also reiterated that conversations with ChatGPT will not be shared with advertisers and that user data will not be sold for advertising purposes. Users will retain control over how their data is used, including the ability to disable personalization and delete information associated with ad targeting. An ad-free experience will continue to be available through paid subscription tiers.
The initial testing phase is expected to begin in the coming weeks and will be limited to logged-in adult users in the United States on the free and Go plans. During this period, ads are planned to appear at the bottom of responses when a sponsored product or service is deemed relevant to the ongoing conversation. Users will be able to see why a particular ad is being shown, dismiss it, and provide feedback. OpenAI stated that accounts identified as belonging to users under 18 will not be shown ads, and that advertising will be excluded from sensitive or regulated topics such as health, mental health, and politics.
The company outlined a set of guiding principles for its advertising model, including alignment with its mission to make artificial general intelligence broadly beneficial, preserving the independence of AI-generated answers, maintaining strict conversation privacy, and prioritizing long-term user trust over short-term revenue. OpenAI added that it does not intend to optimize for time spent within ChatGPT and will continue to place user experience ahead of monetization metrics.
Although advertising has not yet been activated, the announcement signals a notable evolution in how OpenAI plans to sustain and scale its consumer-facing products. By combining a low-cost subscription option with a limited, carefully controlled advertising model, the company appears to be testing a hybrid approach aimed at broadening adoption while seeking new revenue streams to support ongoing development and infrastructure expansion.
OpenAI Signals Shift Toward Interactive, AI-Driven Advertising In ChatGPT
OpenAI has indicated that its approach to advertising within ChatGPT is intended to move beyond traditional formats, positioning ads as informative and interactive rather than intrusive. The company argues that advances in artificial intelligence and conversational interfaces make it possible to transform how users engage with sponsored content, allowing advertising to evolve from static banners and links into dynamic experiences. In this model, a user encountering a sponsored message could ask follow-up questions directly within the interface to clarify product details or support a purchasing decision, blurring the line between discovery and conversation.
The organization also highlighted the potential benefits for smaller businesses and emerging brands. By using AI-driven tools, these companies could create higher-quality advertising experiences without the scale or budgets typically required to compete with larger players. OpenAI suggested that such capabilities could help users discover products and services they might otherwise never encounter, while giving new entrants a more equitable way to reach relevant audiences.
As the advertising system is rolled out, OpenAI said it plans to refine how ads appear based on user feedback, while maintaining a consistent emphasis on trust and user-first design. The company described its intention to build the advertising platform from the ground up around principles that prioritize relevance, transparency, and control, aligning its commercial incentives with what users expect from ChatGPT. At the same time, it reiterated that subscriptions and enterprise offerings remain central to its business model, with advertising positioned as a complementary revenue stream aimed at expanding access to AI tools.
OpenAI expects to begin testing its initial ad formats in the coming weeks and months. During this period, it plans to collect feedback to ensure that advertising supports broader access to AI without undermining the reliability and trust that underpin ChatGPT’s value. The company framed the initiative as part of a long-term effort to sustain growth while keeping the platform useful and credible for both individuals and businesses.
OpenAI’s position on advertising has historically been mixed, but the March appointment of Instacart’s Fidji Simo to the leadership team signaled a potential pivot toward monetization through ads alongside preparations for a public offering. Introducing advertising into AI assistants represents a complex challenge, and the way OpenAI executes this strategy could prove influential, potentially shaping standards and expectations for the broader AI industry.
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About The Author
Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
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Alisa, a dedicated journalist at the MPost, specializes in cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the expansive realm of Web3. With a keen eye for emerging trends and technologies, she delivers comprehensive coverage to inform and engage readers in the ever-evolving landscape of digital finance.
