OpenAI has announced it will begin testing advertisements in ChatGPT for certain users in the United States as the company seeks to diversify revenue sources beyond subscriptions ahead of a potential public offering.
The advertising test will apply to users on the free tier and the lower-cost ChatGPT Go plan, while Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers will remain ad-free. Ads are planned to appear clearly labeled at the bottom of ChatGPT responses when relevant to the conversation. The company says the rollout is expected in the coming weeks and will not influence the AI’s answers or involve selling user data to advertisers.
Per OpenAI’s official statements, ads will not be shown to users under age 18 and will be blocked from appearing alongside sensitive topics such as health, mental health, and politics. Users can dismiss ads and receive explanations for why they were shown. OpenAI emphasizes that answers won’t be shaped by advertising, and conversation privacy is to be preserved.
The company has framed this shift as part of a broader strategy to expand access to AI tools while managing the huge costs of infrastructure and development. Analysts see the move as a major departure from OpenAI’s historically subscription-focused revenue model.
This development comes as OpenAI reported that its annualized revenue topped $20 billion in 2025, reflecting rapid growth but also mounting operational costs tied to scaling advanced AI capabilities.
Critics, particularly in the tech community, warn that introducing ads—even clearly labeled ones—can undermine user trust in a platform that has been valued for its neutrality and utility. Conservative observers may view the shift as a cautionary example of how commercial pressures and potential IPO aims can reshape the user experience of innovations once perceived as public goods.
