Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT: OpenAI Begins Large-Scale Monetization Test
OpenAI is officially starting to integrate ads into ChatGPT. According to CNBC, the ads will be clearly labeled and placed in a separate area below the main conversation interface. Company leadership expects advertising to account for less than half of total revenue over the long term. The move has already drawn public criticism from competitors, including Anthropic, which highlighted the absence of ads in Claude in its recent campaign. The test will cover logged-in users and marks OpenAI's first serious step toward broadly diversifying the business model of its flagship product.
AI-processed from The Verge; edited by Hamidun News
Ads Are Coming to ChatGPT: OpenAI Begins Testing Monetization
OpenAI is starting to test ads in ChatGPT. According to CNBC, ads will begin appearing for logged-in users of the product. The ads themselves will be "clearly labeled" and placed in a separate area below the main conversation window, a format OpenAI announced a month earlier. According to a source familiar with the matter, the company expects advertising to bring in less than half of OpenAI's total revenue over the long term.
Ad Format and Rollout
The test starts with authenticated (logged-in) ChatGPT users. Ads are labeled as advertising and appear in a separate area below the main conversation window, not inside the chat itself. OpenAI announced this placement format a month earlier; the start of the actual test is a separate, later event reported by CNBC.
OpenAI's Ad Revenue Expectations
A source close to the matter told CNBC that OpenAI expects advertising to account for less than half of the company's total revenue over the long term. That framing means the company is counting on other sources for the majority of its revenue.
Anthropic's Response
Last week, Anthropic unveiled a Super Bowl ad built around the idea that "ads are coming to AI" — but not to the Claude chatbot. The version that aired during the game turned out to be less blunt after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the campaign "clearly dishonest."
When did OpenAI announce the ad format for ChatGPT?
OpenAI announced the format — clearly labeled ads in a separate area below the conversation window — a month earlier, before the test itself began; CNBC later reported the test's launch.
Which ChatGPT users will see ads first?
The ad test starts with authenticated (logged-in) ChatGPT users.
What share of revenue does OpenAI expect to get from ads?
According to a source close to the matter, OpenAI expects advertising to account for less than half of the company's total revenue over the long term.
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Key Questions Answered
When did OpenAI announce the ad format for ChatGPT?
OpenAI announced the format — clearly labeled ads in a separate area below the conversation window — a month earlier, before the test itself began; CNBC later reported the test's launch.
Which ChatGPT users will see ads first?
The ad test starts with authenticated (logged-in) ChatGPT users.
What share of revenue does OpenAI expect to get from ads?
According to a source close to the matter, OpenAI expects advertising to account for less than half of the company's total revenue over the long term.
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