Which ChatGPT tiers will see ads during this test?

Ads are being tested for logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers only; Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education tiers remain ad-free.

How does OpenAI ensure ads do not influence ChatGPT's responses?

Ads are clearly labeled, visually separated from organic answers, and do not affect responses, which are optimized based on what's most helpful to the user.

How are the ads targeted to users?

Ads are matched to the current conversation topic, past chats, and prior ad interactions, without using external data or selling conversations to advertisers.

What options do users have to control or avoid ads?

Users can opt out of ads (with usage limits for free tier), turn off personalization, dismiss ads, provide feedback, clear ad history, or upgrade to ad-free paid plans.

Are there any restrictions on who sees ads or ad content?

Ads are not shown to users under 18 or near sensitive topics like health, politics, or mental health.

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14d ago

OpenAI Begins Testing Ads in ChatGPT for Free Users

OpenAI began rolling out test ads in ChatGPT's Free and Go tiers on Feb. 9, 2026, with options to opt out or upgrade to ad-free plans.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

OpenAI announced on Feb. 9, 2026 that it began showing clearly labeled test advertisements to logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers of ChatGPT, officials confirmed.

OpenAI said the ad pilot aims to subsidize free access and offset rising infrastructure costs while keeping Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Education subscriptions ad-free.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a post on X that OpenAI will "not accept money to influence the answer" while Anthropic said including ads in Claude would be "incompatible" with its positioning.

The Go tier costs $8 per month, and OpenAI said ads will be matched to conversation topics, past chats and prior ad interactions while blocking ads for users under 18 or near sensitive topics.

OpenAI said it will build protections to reduce scams and misleading ads and will evaluate the pilot's performance as advertisers are invited to participate, the company said.

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Analysis

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Center-leaning sources frame the rollout as a tech-industry clash that balances reassurance and controversy. Editorial choices amplify conflict (using words like "pilloried" and "caustic"), foreground OpenAI’s privacy and non-influence assurances, and highlight competitors’ anti-ad positioning — producing a narrative of commercial competition tempered by safety and access claims.

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FAQ

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: Ads are being tested for logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers only; Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education tiers remain ad-free.
Sources:
OpenAI Blog
: Ads are clearly labeled, visually separated from organic answers, and do not affect responses, which are optimized based on what's most helpful to the user.
Sources:
OpenAI
: Ads are matched to the current conversation topic, past chats, and prior ad interactions, without using external data or selling conversations to advertisers.
Sources:
OpenAI Blog
: Users can opt out of ads (with usage limits for free tier), turn off personalization, dismiss ads, provide feedback, clear ad history, or upgrade to ad-free paid plans.
Sources:
OpenAI
: Ads are not shown to users under 18 or near sensitive topics like health, politics, or mental health.
Sources:
TechCrunch

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