ChatGPT rolls out ads

Source: TechCrunch

OpenAI on Monday announced it’s beginning to test ads in the U.S. for users on its Free and Go subscription tiers.

The newer Go plan is a low‑cost subscription at $8 per month in the U.S. and was introduced globally in mid‑January.

Subscribers to OpenAI’s paid plans—including Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education—will not see ads, the company said.

Ad policy

OpenAI addressed concerns about how ads might affect the user experience in a blog post:

“Ads do not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations with ChatGPT private from advertisers. Our goal is for ads to support broader access to more powerful ChatGPT features while maintaining the trust people place in ChatGPT for important and personal tasks.”

Key points of the policy:

• Ads will be clearly labeled as sponsored and separated from organic content.
• Ads will be optimized based on “what’s most helpful to you.”
• Advertisers will only receive aggregate performance data (e.g., views, clicks); they will not have access to individual user data.
• Users can view and clear their ad interaction history at any time.
• Users can dismiss ads, share feedback, see why an ad was shown, and manage ad‑personalization settings.
• Ads will not be shown to users under 18 and will not appear near sensitive or regulated topics such as health, politics, or mental health.

Targeted ad examples

In testing, OpenAI matched ads to users based on conversation subjects, past chats, and prior ad interactions. For example, a user researching recipes might see ads for grocery‑delivery services or meal‑kit providers.

Reaction and criticism

The move, which the company announced last month (TechCrunch), drew ridicule in a series of Super Bowl ads from rival Anthropic. Anthropic’s commercials mocked the idea of AI‑generated ads by showing “glassy‑eyed” actors playing chatbots delivering advice alongside poorly targeted ads.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded sharply, calling the ads “dishonest” and describing Anthropic as an “authoritarian company” (TechCrunch).

Consumer response

Consumers have so far resisted the idea of ads in AI responses. OpenAI previously faced backlash when it tested app suggestions that resembled unwanted ads (TechCrunch, Dec 2025). Nonetheless, the company needs additional revenue streams to cover the costs of developing its technology and scaling the business.

Summary

• Ads are being tested for Free and Go users in the U.S.
• Paid‑plan users remain ad‑free.
• Ads are promised to be non‑intrusive, clearly labeled, and not influential on ChatGPT’s answers.
• Users retain control over ad visibility, feedback, and personalization settings.
• The rollout has sparked competitive parody and criticism from both rivals and consumers.