Recent leaks from the ChatGPT Android beta version 1.2025.329 show evidence that OpenAI plans to introduce advertisements inside ChatGPT. Developer Tibor Blaho posted on X that the code includes references to “ads feature,” “search ad,” “search ads carousel,” and “bazaar content.”
Following this discovery, several users claimed to have already seen ads in their paid ChatGPT chats, including promotional cards for products — sometimes unrelated to the user’s queries.
The move comes as OpenAI ramps up monetization efforts under the leadership of Fidji Simo, who is building an advertising team to support both ads and existing subscription tiers. CEO Sam Altman previously said he had doubts about ads in AI, calling them a “last resort,” but has more recently indicated that “useful” ads could eventually have a place.
This potential shift mirrors broader trends in AI and web services, where free access is sustained by advertisement revenue. As the transition unfolds, users, developers, and regulators will likely scrutinize how ads are integrated and how recommendations are influenced.
This development aligns with other recent moves in AI monetization — including the rollout of ad-supported or subscription-capped tools like Nano Banana Pro.
