OpenAI on Friday said it will begin testing advertisements within ChatGPT for free users in the United States, a move that could introduce a significant new revenue stream for the artificial intelligence startup. Paid subscriptions, including Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans, will remain ad-free.
The company also launched its low-cost ChatGPT Go plan in the U.S., and users who select this option will begin seeing ads during the test period. OpenAI said ads will appear at the bottom of chatbot responses and will be clearly labeled to distinguish them from content generated by ChatGPT.
Revenue Strategy and Safeguards
OpenAI has grown rapidly, securing more than $1.4 trillion in infrastructure deals in 2025. CEO Sam Altman said in November that the company was on track to reach a $20 billion annualized revenue run rate last year. Introducing ads could help OpenAI support its growing infrastructure and operational costs.
The company emphasized that ads will not influence ChatGPT’s responses, and user data will not be sold to advertisers. Users under 18 will not see ads, and certain topics—including politics, health, and mental health—will be exempt from advertising placements.
Altman has expressed caution about ads in previous years, noting that they could erode user trust in OpenAI products. In a November podcast, he said ads would eventually appear but are unlikely to become the company’s largest revenue source.
User Experience and Feedback
During the testing phase, users will be able to understand why specific ads are shown, dismiss them, and provide feedback on their experience. OpenAI said it will use this feedback to refine ad placement and presentation over time while maintaining its stated commitment to user trust.
The move represents OpenAI’s first effort to monetize free ChatGPT users directly and follows broader trends in combining subscriptions, enterprise deals, and advertising to support growth. Recently, OpenAI also launched ChatGPT Translate, a translation service supporting more than 50 languages, and ChatGPT Health, which integrates personal health data to provide guidance on wellness, lab results, and appointments.
