ChatGPT Gets Ad Slots: OpenAI’s $500B Free Tier Monetization Gambit

OpenAI is about to turn ChatGPT into a billboard—and it’s not even the most controversial move in its $500B monetization gambit.

OpenAI will test ads in the U.S. for free and Go tiers of ChatGPT, with ads appearing at the bottom of conversations and targeting topics of discussion. Users can dismiss ads, view explanations for ad targeting, or disable personalization to avoid targeted ads. Free and $8/month Go tiers will get ads; Pro, Plus, Business, and Enterprise tiers will not.

OpenAI promises no data selling to advertisers and maintains "answer independence" to prevent ad influence on responses. Ads aim to sustain free access while driving revenue, potentially pushing some users to upgrade to paid tiers. OpenAI frames advertising as a mission-aligned strategy to support AGI benefiting humanity.