OpenAI Introduces Ad Testing in ChatGPT for Free Users
On Friday, January 16, 2026, OpenAI made a significant announcement. The company revealed its plans to start testing advertisements within ChatGPT in the upcoming weeks. This move marks a major shift in OpenAI’s monetization strategy, as it aims to balance out its substantial infrastructure costs.
The advertisements will be displayed at the end of ChatGPT’s responses for free-tier users and subscribers of the new $8-per-month “Go” plan in the United States. However, premium subscribers to Plus ($20/month), Pro ($200/month), and Enterprise tiers will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience. OpenAI has assured that the ads will be distinctly labeled and separated from AI-generated responses, promising that the advertisements will not have any influence over ChatGPT’s responses.
“It is clear to us that a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don’t want to pay,” CEO Sam Altman wrote, explaining the rationale behind the decision.
The company emphasized the following points:
- It will never sell user data to advertisers.
- Users under 18 will not be exposed to ads.
- Advertisements will not appear near sensitive topics including health, mental health, or politics.
This decision comes at a time when OpenAI is grappling with enormous spending commitments. In 2025 alone, the company signed infrastructure deals worth more than $1.4 trillion. Digital advertising has been a profitable venture for tech giants like Google and Meta, contributing over $74 billion and $50 billion respectively to their revenues in Q3 2025. With an estimated user base of 800 million monthly users, ChatGPT’s ad platform could potentially become a significant source of revenue for the AI startup.
Source: CNBC