OpenAI begins rolling out ads for ChatGPT Free and Go users
OpenAI began rolling out advertisements on Monday in the United States for ChatGPT users on its Free and Go subscription tiers to generate revenue that supports access to advanced features. The Go plan costs $8 per month in the U.S. and launched globally in mid-January.
Users subscribed to OpenAI’s higher paid plans remain exempt from advertisements. These plans include Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education tiers. The company specified this exclusion in its announcement to distinguish between free or low-cost access and premium services.
OpenAI addressed potential user concerns in a blog post with the following statement: “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.” This clarification emphasizes separation between ad display and core functionality.
The company first announced plans for this ad testing last month. On Monday, OpenAI confirmed the rollout for Free and Go tier users specifically in the U.S. market. This step follows the global introduction of the Go subscription earlier in the year.
Rival company Anthropic responded with a series of Super Bowl advertisements aired on Sunday. These commercials depicted scenarios where AI chatbots delivered advice interrupted by poorly integrated and targeted advertisements. Actors portrayed glassy-eyed AI chatbots presenting responses alongside disruptive sponsored content, highlighting potential interruptions to the user experience.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reacted sharply to Anthropic’s campaign. He described the advertisements as “dishonest” and labeled Anthropic an “authoritarian company.” His comments appeared on social media platforms shortly after the Super Bowl broadcast.
Consumer reactions to advertisements within AI interfaces have shown resistance previously. Late last year, OpenAI encountered backlash during tests of app suggestions that users perceived as resembling unwanted advertisements embedded in responses. This incident underscored sensitivities around commercial intrusions in conversational AI.
OpenAI requires revenue streams from its ChatGPT service to offset expenses related to technology development and business expansion. The chatbot’s popularity drives high operational costs, including computational resources and ongoing improvements.
Critics express concerns that advertisements could subtly affect the content of ChatGPT responses. OpenAI counters this by stating that ads receive optimization based on “what’s most helpful to you.” All sponsored content carries clear labeling as such and remains separated from the platform’s organic response material.
During testing phases, OpenAI implemented ad matching mechanisms. These draw from the subject matter of current conversations, details from past chats, and records of previous ad interactions. For example, individuals querying recipes encounter advertisements for grocery delivery services or meal kit providers, aligning promotions with immediate user interests.
Advertisers gain no access to individual user data. Instead, they receive aggregate performance metrics, including total views and click counts, to evaluate campaign effectiveness without compromising privacy.
ChatGPT users gain multiple controls over ad exposure. They can access a history of their ad interactions and delete it entirely at any time. Additional options include dismissing specific ads, submitting feedback on them, reviewing explanations for why particular ads appeared, and adjusting settings for ad personalization.
Advertisements exclude users under 18 years old. OpenAI also prohibits ad placement adjacent to discussions of sensitive or regulated subjects. These categories encompass health, politics, and mental health topics, ensuring ads avoid controversial or personal contexts.