OpenAI Launches Ads in ChatGPT, Hitting Free Users From Their Very First Message
Summary
OpenAI launches a formal ad program in ChatGPT, hitting free U.S. users with sponsored placements from brands like Expedia, Target, and Ford starting from their very first message, while paid subscribers remain ad-free and advertisers face a $200,000 minimum commitment at a $60 CPM rate.
Key Points
- OpenAI launches a formal ad beta in ChatGPT targeting U.S. free and Go tier users, with sponsored placements from brands like Expedia, Target, and Ford appearing as early as a user's very first message.
- The program carries a $60 CPM rate and a $200,000 minimum advertiser commitment, restricting early access to large-budget brands, while paid subscribers on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education tiers remain ad-free.
- OpenAI insists advertisers cannot influence ChatGPT's responses and that user conversations stay private, but the rollout raises trust concerns as commercial exposure now begins at zero conversational context, a structural shift from traditional search advertising.