OpenAI is testing ads in ChatGPT for Free and Go (U.S. only) to help keep AI affordable. Ads will be clearly labelled, shown below answers, and won’t influence responses or share conversation data with advertisers. Higher tiers remain ad-free. Rollout begins with shopping-related links.

What’s new (and where)

OpenAI will begin testing advertisements with logged-in adult users in the U.S. on the Free and Go tiers. Ads are not planned for Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise. The first tests place sponsored product/service links at the bottom of answers, separate from the model’s output.

OpenAI frames advertising as a way to expand affordable access while keeping product quality and trust intact. The company reiterates answer independence (ads do not affect responses) and conversation privacy (no selling conversation data to advertisers).

How ads will work

• Placement & labelling: Ads appear in a clearly labelled section beneath ChatGPT’s answer. Users can dismiss an ad and learn why they’re seeing it.

• Answer independence: ChatGPT’s answer is generated before any ad is considered; ads do not shape the response content.

• Privacy: OpenAI states it keeps conversations private from advertisers and does not sell user data. Users can manage personalisation settings.

• Scope & safety: Early coverage notes shopping-oriented ads, no ads to under-18s, and exclusions for sensitive topics (e.g., health, politics).

Who’s affected (and who isn’t)

• Will see ads (test): Logged-in adult users on Free and Go in the U.S. during the trial.

• Will not see ads: Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise remain ad-free. (Go is lower-cost and may include ads during testing.)

• Outside the U.S.: No international ad launch has been announced; global users should not expect ads until OpenAI expands the test.

Why OpenAI is doing this

Running state-of-the-art AI at scale is expensive. Ads give OpenAI a revenue stream that can subsidise lower-cost tiers and support global availability of plans like ChatGPT Go—without forcing everyone to upgrade. Independent reporting also underscores the broader revenue context.

What this means for teams and organisations

• Clarity for policy & comms: If your users are on Free/Go in the U.S., update internal FAQs: what ads are, where they appear, and that higher tiers stay ad-free.

• Privacy stance: Reassure staff that ad units are separate and conversations aren’t sold. Link to OpenAI’s help page on ads.

• Plan strategy: If you want no ads and higher limits/features, consider Plus/Pro/Business/Enterprise; see the live plans page for current tiers and pricing.

Managing the experience (practical steps)

1. Check your plan: If you require zero ads, choose Plus or higher for individuals; Business/Enterprise for teams.

2. Control personalisation: Review/adjust ad-related preferences and data settings as they become available.

3. Give feedback: Use the ad dismiss and feedback controls to refine relevance during the test.

FAQs

Q1. Why is OpenAI introducing advertising?
To help keep AI affordable and accessible—especially for Free/Go—while maintaining trust, privacy and answer quality.

Q2. Will ads change ChatGPT’s answers or training?
OpenAI says no: ads are separate from the model’s answer and don’t influence it. Conversations are not sold to advertisers.

Q3. Which plans will show ads?
The U.S. test covers Free and Go. Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise remain ad-free. No global expansion announced yet.

Q4. Where do ads appear?
In a clearly labelled block below the answer, starting with shopping-related links. Users can dismiss or learn why an ad was shown.

Q5. Are there protected categories or age limits?
Reports indicate no ads to under-18s and restrictions around sensitive topics such as health and politics.