The company announced this week that it will begin testing ads in the U.S. for users of its free and ChatGPT Go tiers. The move marks OpenAI’s first foray into ad-supported AI, offering a way to sustain free access for millions of users while creating a new revenue stream.
Ads Coming to Free and Go Users — But Not Everyone
According to OpenAI’s blog post, the rollout will begin as a limited test. Users on the ChatGPT Free plan and the newly introduced ChatGPT Go plan (priced at $8 per month) will start seeing ads appear at the bottom of conversations.
The ads will be contextually relevant — based on the ongoing chat topic — but OpenAI assures that users will still have control and transparency.
Users can:
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Dismiss ads they don’t want to see.
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View explanations about why certain ads were shown.
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Turn off personalization, ensuring ads are not targeted based on chat history.
Importantly, OpenAI confirmed that no ads will be shown to users under 18, and premium tiers — including Pro, Plus, Business, and Enterprise — will remain ad-free.
Data Privacy and “Answer Independence”
Addressing potential user concerns, OpenAI stated that ads will not interfere with ChatGPT’s core purpose. The company promises to maintain what it calls “answer independence,” meaning that advertisements will not influence chatbot responses or recommendations.
Additionally, OpenAI made a clear commitment: it will not sell user data to advertisers. This focus on ethical ad practices aligns with its broader mission of ensuring AI benefits all of humanity.
Why OpenAI Is Turning to Advertising
While OpenAI generates revenue through paid subscriptions like ChatGPT Plus and enterprise partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, ads present a new opportunity for scalable growth.
The strategy could benefit the company in two major ways:
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Ad Revenue – Millions of free users represent a massive untapped advertising opportunity.
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Subscription Growth – Some users may upgrade to premium tiers to enjoy an ad-free experience.
This dual benefit could help OpenAI strike a balance between accessibility and profitability — a crucial step as the company continues to scale its operations and invest in advanced AI development.
A Step Toward Sustainable AI Access
In its announcement, OpenAI emphasized that introducing ads is not just about revenue — it’s about sustainability and inclusion. The company wrote that its “pursuit of advertising is always in support of” its broader mission: to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity.
By experimenting with ad-based monetization, OpenAI aims to make its technology more accessible to users worldwide, without entirely depending on paid subscriptions.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.