OpenAI has announced it will begin testing advertisements inside ChatGPT for free users and subscribers of the new $8/month ChatGPT Go plan. Ads will appear as banners in the app, starting with U.S. users, while premium tiers like Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise remain ad-free.
OpenAI Introduces Ads in ChatGPT: What Users Need to Know
In a significant shift, OpenAI will begin testing advertisements within ChatGPT, aiming to diversify revenue streams while keeping access affordable. The rollout starts in the U.S. and will gradually expand worldwide, targeting free-tier users and those subscribed to the newly launched ChatGPT Go plan.
Who Will See Ads:
Free-tier ChatGPT users.
Subscribers of the $8/month ChatGPT Go plan (available in 170+ countries).
Where Ads Appear: Banner-style placements within the ChatGPT interface.
Ad-Free Tiers: Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions will remain ad-free.
Safeguards: Ads will not appear in sensitive conversations and will not alter ChatGPT’s responses.
Revenue Strategy: CEO Sam Altman previously called ads a “last resort,” but the move reflects OpenAI’s need to sustain operations amid rising costs.
Global Expansion: The Go plan offers messaging, image generation, file uploads, and memory features at a lower price point, making AI more accessible.
This marks a pivotal moment for OpenAI, balancing accessibility with monetization, while raising questions about user experience and trust in AI-driven platforms.
Sources: Ars Technica, Business Standard, OpenAI Blog