ChatGPT begins ad testing for Free and Go users in the US

OpenAI has started testing advertisements on ChatGPT for users in the United States who are on the Free and Go subscription tiers. The move marks a significant shift for the AI company as it looks to diversify revenue streams while keeping its premium offerings ad-free.

The recently launched Go plan, priced at $8 per month in the US and rolled out globally in mid-January, sits alongside the Free tier as the only categories where ads will appear. OpenAI has clarified that subscribers on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Education plans will not see any advertising.

In announcing the rollout, the company addressed concerns around trust and user experience. OpenAI stated that advertisements will not influence ChatGPT’s responses and that user conversations will remain private from advertisers. Ads, according to the company, are intended to support wider access to more advanced features without compromising reliability for personal or important use cases.

The announcement has not gone unnoticed in the competitive AI landscape. Rival Anthropic recently ran Super Bowl commercials mocking the idea of advertising within AI interactions, portraying poorly placed ads as disruptive to user experience. The campaign triggered a sharp response from OpenAI leadership, further highlighting the growing tension between leading AI players.

User resistance to advertising within AI tools has been evident in the past, with OpenAI facing criticism during earlier experiments that resembled promotional prompts. Despite this, the company maintains that ads will be clearly labeled, separated from organic content and excluded from sensitive categories such as health, politics and mental health. Ads will also not be shown to users under 18.

OpenAI has emphasised user control, allowing people to dismiss ads, review their ad interaction history and manage personalization settings at any time.