OpenAI announced it will start testing advertisements within its ChatGPT platform. This move represents a significant shift for the company as it seeks new revenue streams.
Testing Ads in Select Plans
The artificial intelligence firm revealed on Friday that it will begin showing ads to some users in the United States. These advertisements will appear for people using ChatGPT's free tier and the lower-priced Go plan, which the company is currently expanding globally.
OpenAI confirmed the ads will start appearing in the coming weeks. They will be displayed separately from ChatGPT's actual responses to user queries. The company emphasized that advertising will not influence the chatbot's outputs in any way.
Exclusions and Restrictions
Users subscribed to more expensive plans will not see advertisements. OpenAI specifically mentioned that Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tier subscribers will continue using ChatGPT without ads.
The company also established important restrictions for its advertising program. OpenAI stated it will not show ads to users under 18 years old. Additionally, the company plans to block advertisements related to sensitive topics like health and politics.
Funding Massive AI Infrastructure Plans
This advertising initiative comes as OpenAI faces pressure to increase revenue. The company plans to spend more than $1 trillion on artificial intelligence infrastructure by 2030. However, OpenAI has not provided specific details about how it intends to fund this enormous investment.
Analysts note that advertising could unlock significant revenue from ChatGPT's 800 million weekly active users. Yet this move might annoy some customers and potentially damage trust in the product.
Competitive Landscape Considerations
Industry experts warn that if ads feel intrusive or poorly implemented, users could easily switch to competing chatbots. Alternatives include Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude.
Jeremy Goldman, an analyst at Emarketer, commented on the development. He suggested this move might pressure rival companies to clarify their own monetization approaches, particularly those positioning themselves as "ad-free by design."
How Ads Will Work in ChatGPT
OpenAI described its advertising approach in a statement. The company plans to test ads at the bottom of ChatGPT answers when relevant sponsored products or services match the current conversation topic.
The company assured users that their conversations will not be shared with marketers. This privacy protection aims to maintain user trust while introducing advertising elements.
Broader Industry Context
Advertisers express optimism about artificial intelligence improving performance in search and social advertising. Many marketing professionals want to capitalize on AI implementation within advertising recommendation systems.
OpenAI's ChatGPT Go plan, first launched in India, will now be available in the United States for $8 per month. The Microsoft-backed startup continues expanding its service offerings while exploring new revenue models.
This advertising test marks a major departure for OpenAI, which previously relied primarily on subscription revenue. The company's shift reflects the substantial costs associated with developing advanced AI technology and building necessary infrastructure.
