OpenAI to Test Targeted Ads in ChatGPT, Launches $8 'Go' Plan Worldwide
OpenAI will test labeled banner ads in ChatGPT for free and ChatGPT Go eight-dollar users in the U.S., seeking revenue diversification while preserving answer independence.
Overview
OpenAI will begin testing clearly labeled banner ads in ChatGPT in the coming weeks for logged-in free users and ChatGPT Go subscribers in the United States.
Ads will appear separated from answers at the bottom of chat windows, labeled as advertisements, and OpenAI says they will not influence ChatGPT’s responses or target minors.
Users can dismiss ads, view reasons for their selection, and disable personalization; OpenAI says it won’t sell conversations to advertisers, sharing only aggregate ad performance metrics.
OpenAI simultaneously launched ChatGPT Go, an eight-dollar monthly tier first introduced in India in August 2025 and now available across 170-plus countries; higher paid tiers remain ad-free.
Financial pressures, including massive data-center and chip commitments, a projected multibillion-dollar burn, and no profit expected until 2030, prompted the ad pivot and drew critic skepticism.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources report this neutrally: they stick to attributed facts and company statements, note scope (ads for free/Go tiers, not paid plans), cite revenue and spending figures from Altman, and compare Google’s similar move. The coverage avoids loaded language and frames ads as a business decision rather than a scandal.
Sources (12)
FAQ
Ads will be tested for logged-in free users and ChatGPT Go subscribers in the U.S., while Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise users will remain ad-free.
Ads will be clearly labeled, appear separately at the bottom of chat windows, and will not influence ChatGPT's answers, which remain optimized for user helpfulness.
ChatGPT Go is an $8 monthly subscription tier offering expanded access to messaging, image creation, file uploads, and memory, now launched worldwide in 171+ countries including the U.S.
OpenAI faces financial pressures from massive data-center and chip spending with projected multibillion-dollar losses until 2030, aiming to diversify revenue while keeping AI accessible.
History
4 sources