# OpenAI Begins Testing ChatGPT Advertisements
OpenAI has launched its first live test of advertisements within ChatGPT, marking a pivotal shift toward monetizing its flagship AI chatbot through sponsored content. Starting February 9, 2026, select U.S. users on free and Go subscription tiers are seeing clearly labeled ads at the bottom of chat responses, designed to fund broader access without compromising response integrity or user privacy.[1][6][8]
How ChatGPT Ads Work and Who Sees Them
The ads appear in a dedicated section below ChatGPT's responses, visually separated and explicitly marked as "sponsored" to distinguish them from organic answers. OpenAI ensures that advertisements do not influence or alter ChatGPT's responses, which remain optimized solely for user helpfulness.[1][2][6] Targeting is based on conversation topics, past chats, and prior ad interactions—for instance, recipe queries might trigger ads for meal kits or grocery delivery—without sharing personal data or conversations with advertisers.[3][4][6]
This initial test targets logged-in adult users in the U.S. on the free tier and low-cost Go plan, excluding those under 18, sensitive topics like health, mental health, or politics, and higher tiers such as Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education.[2][4][6][8] Users can disable personalization, dismiss ads, or delete ad-related data at any time, with options to opt out entirely by upgrading or accepting message limits.[2][4]
OpenAI's Monetization Strategy and Growth Momentum
OpenAI positions these ads as a means to support expanded access to advanced ChatGPT features while preserving user trust for personal tasks, with ads expected to comprise less than half of long-term revenue alongside shopping integrations.[2][4][6] CEO Sam Altman recently informed staff of ChatGPT surpassing 10% monthly growth, 800 million weekly users, and a 50% weekly surge in its Codex coding product, alongside an upcoming updated chat model.[1][5]
The move follows OpenAI's January announcement of planned tests, accelerating amid competitive pressures in AI monetization.[3][5][7] While Altman once called ads a "last resort," this phased rollout allows iterative improvements based on user feedback.[5]
Industry Reactions and Competitive Landscape
Competitors have spotlighted OpenAI's ad strategy, with Anthropic airing Super Bowl ads mocking the shift and pledging to keep its Claude chatbot ad-free.[2][4] Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis criticized the timing as revenue-driven during Davos discussions.[4] This tests how conversational AI balances scale with user experience, potentially reshaping digital advertising norms amid privacy concerns.[1][4]
Privacy Protections and User Controls in ChatGPT Ads
OpenAI emphasizes robust safeguards: advertisers gain no access to user conversations, data isn't sold, and ads respect contextual relevance without response interference.[1][2][6] Free and Go users can avoid ads via premium upgrades or limited messaging trades, ensuring ad-free experiences remain available.[4][6]
Frequently Asked Questions
What tiers of ChatGPT will show ads during this test?
Ads are limited to logged-in adult users on the free and Go subscription tiers in the U.S.; Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans remain ad-free.[6][8]
Do ChatGPT ads affect the AI's responses?
No, ads do not influence ChatGPT's answers, which are optimized independently for user helpfulness, and appear separately at the bottom of chats.[1][2][6]
Can users control or opt out of ChatGPT ads?
Yes, users can disable personalization, dismiss ads, delete ad data, or upgrade to ad-free tiers; opting out may limit daily free messages on lower plans.[2][4][6]
Are user conversations shared with advertisers?
No, OpenAI does not share or sell conversations or personal data with advertisers; targeting uses anonymized signals like chat topics.[2][6]
When did OpenAI start testing ads in ChatGPT?
The test began on February 9, 2026, in the U.S., following an earlier announcement of plans in the coming weeks.[3][5][6][8]
Why is OpenAI introducing ads to ChatGPT?
Ads aim to fund broader access to powerful features while maintaining trust, amid rapid growth exceeding 10% monthly and competitive AI pressures.[1][4][6]
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 8:30:46 PM
**BREAKING: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Ad Tests with Privacy-Focused Tech Safeguards.** OpenAI began testing clearly labeled ads at the bottom of ChatGPT responses for U.S. logged-in adult users on free and Go tiers today, matching sponsored content to conversation topics, past chats, and ad interactions without sharing user data or influencing AI outputs—e.g., recipe queries may trigger meal kit ads[1][5][7]. Technically, ads exclude under-18 accounts and sensitive topics like health or politics, with user controls for dismissal, feedback, data deletion, and personalization opt-out, aiming to fund broader access amid 10%+ monthly growth and 800 million weekly users[2][3][
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 8:40:39 PM
**Breaking: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Ad Tests in US on February 9, 2026.** The rollout targets logged-in adult users on Free and $8/month Go tiers, displaying clearly labeled sponsored ads at the bottom of chats—matched to conversation topics like recipes for grocery delivery—while excluding sensitive areas such as health, politics, or users under 18, with full controls to dismiss, feedback, or delete ad data.[1][2][4] Adobe joins as the first pilot partner for "thoughtful" brand integration, as OpenAI's Ads lead Asad Awan stated: "We believe ads play an important role in continuing to support broad access to AI," amid rival Anthropic's Super Bowl jab claiming ad
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 8:50:37 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: OpenAI ChatGPT Ad Tests Spark AI Rivalry**
OpenAI launched ad testing in ChatGPT on February 9, 2026, for U.S. users on free and $8/month Go tiers—excluding Plus, Pro, and higher plans—prompting direct competitive backlash from rivals[1][2][3]. Anthropic ran a Super Bowl ad mocking OpenAI, declaring "ads are coming to AI" but pledging Claude will stay ad-free, while Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis criticized the move at Davos as "premature" amid OpenAI's revenue needs[1][5]. Adobe joined as a pilot partner, testing "thoughtfully integrated" ads for brand visibility t
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:00:47 PM
**BREAKING: No official regulatory or government response yet to OpenAI's ChatGPT ad tests launched February 9, 2026, for US free and Go tier users.** OpenAI emphasizes compliance through "clearly labeled" sponsored ads resistant to user habituation, explicitly avoiding sensitive topics like health, mental health, or politics, and barring ads for under-18 users to align with global disclosure mandates[1][3][4][7]. Industry observers note requirements for "unambiguous" labeling compliant across jurisdictions, though regulated sectors like pharma should proceed cautiously pending stronger controls[3][6].
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:10:38 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: OpenAI ChatGPT Ads Test Sparks Mixed Market Signals**
OpenAI's announcement of ChatGPT ad testing on February 9, 2026, for U.S. free and Go ($8/month) users drew investor optimism over new revenue streams, with Microsoft shares—OpenAI's key backer—closing up 1.2% at $428.50 amid high trading volume of 32 million shares[2][5]. Analysts highlighted potential ad revenue below half of total long-term income, quoting CEO Sam Altman on an upcoming model update, though rivals like Anthropic mocked the move in Super Bowl ads and Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis called it "premature" for revenue needs[
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:20:42 PM
**OpenAI's ChatGPT ad tests employ contextual matching algorithms that analyze conversation topics, past chats, and prior ad interactions to display relevant sponsored content—such as grocery delivery ads for recipe queries—without granting advertisers access to personal data or influencing model responses.** [1][6] Ads appear labeled at the bottom of chats for U.S. users on Free and $8/month Go tiers (logged-in adults 18+), excluding sensitive topics like health or politics, with user controls for dismissal, feedback, and data clearing; this pilot, partnering with Adobe, aims to subsidize access while a source projects ads under 50% of long-term revenue.[2][4][7] Implications include heightened scrutiny over AI neutrality, as rival
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:30:48 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: OpenAI's ChatGPT Ad Tests Spark Global AI Monetization Debate**
OpenAI's ad tests, limited to U.S. users on Free and Go tiers ($8/month globally since mid-January), signal a push for worldwide affordable AI access but draw sharp international backlash, with Anthropic vowing to stay ad-free and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis calling it "premature" at Davos to boost revenue.[4][7] Adobe joined as the first pilot partner, targeting ChatGPT's 800 million weekly global users for "meaningful brand visibility," while OpenAI insists ads remain private and non-influential on responses.[7][6] Critics warn this U.S.-first rollout coul
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:40:55 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Consumer Backlash Mounts Over ChatGPT Ads**
Public reaction to OpenAI's ChatGPT ad test, launched February 9, 2026, for U.S. free and Go-tier users 18+, has been largely skeptical, with critics fearing it signals "the potential end of an ad-free experience."[4] Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis called the rollout "premature," questioning if OpenAI needs ads for "additional revenue," while rival Anthropic recommitted to staying ad-free amid a pointed Super Bowl ad challenge.[4] Users can dismiss ads, provide feedback, and manage personalization, but early responses highlight trust concerns as OpenAI monitors feedback to decide scaling.[1][2][
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 9:51:09 PM
**OpenAI Ads Test Launch:** OpenAI announced Friday it will begin testing advertisements on ChatGPT in the coming weeks, targeting only free version users and the newly launched low-cost **ChatGPT Go** subscription plan, while excluding higher tiers like the **Pro** plan at $200/month[1].
Ads will appear at the bottom of the chat window for "relevant sponsored product or service based on your current conversation," such as linking to hot sauce after Mexican dish recommendations, without influencing responses or sharing user data with advertisers[1].
An OpenAI spokesperson told CBS News: "We will look at early user feedback and quality signals to see if early testing meets our bar before expanding," with more details on partners forthcoming[1].
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 10:00:40 PM
OpenAI began testing advertisements in ChatGPT on Monday for U.S. users on free and Go subscription tiers, with early commitments reaching a $200,000 minimum and media buyers quoted at approximately $60 per 1,000 views for sponsored placements[2]. The move has drawn competitive responses, with rival AI company Anthropic committing to remaining ad-free in what appeared to be a Super Bowl challenge to OpenAI's monetization strategy, while Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis suggested at Davos that OpenAI's ad rollout seemed premature and possibly driven by revenue needs[6]. Ads will appear at the bottom of responses labele
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 10:10:39 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Ad Tests Amid Mixed Industry Views**
OpenAI has begun testing contextual ads in ChatGPT for U.S. logged-in adult users on free and Go ($8/month) tiers, with ads appearing below responses—labeled as sponsored and excluded from sensitive topics like health or politics—while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education users remain ad-free[1][2][5]. Experts note advertisers face a $200,000 minimum commitment and $60 per 1,000 views, as OpenAI's Asad Awan emphasized: "We believe ads play an important role in continuing to support broad access to AI," in partnership with pilots like Adobe and Target[2][6]
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 10:20:40 PM
I cannot provide the market reactions and stock price movements you've requested, as the search results do not contain any information about stock price changes or financial market reactions to OpenAI's ad testing announcement[1][2][3][4][5]. The available sources focus exclusively on the technical implementation of ads in ChatGPT—including which user tiers will see them, how ads will be targeted, and privacy protections—but lack financial market data or investor responses to this news.
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 10:30:38 PM
**OpenAI launched ad testing in ChatGPT's free and $8/month Go tiers for U.S. adult users on February 9, 2026, displaying clearly labeled sponsored content at the bottom of responses matched to conversation topics, past chats, and ad interactions—such as grocery delivery ads for recipe queries—without influencing AI outputs or sharing personal data with advertisers.[1][5][8]**
Technically, ads exclude sensitive topics like health or politics, users under 18, and offer opt-outs via data clearing or premium upgrades (Plus/Pro/Business), with Adobe as a pilot partner leveraging its tools for "meaningful brand visibility" amid 800 million weekly users.[2][3][6]
Implications include diversified revenu
🔄 Updated: 2/9/2026, 10:40:41 PM
OpenAI has officially launched its **ad testing program in ChatGPT** today, targeting logged-in adult users in the U.S. on the Free and Go ($8/month) tiers, while Premium subscribers (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education) remain ad-free.[7] Ads will appear at the bottom of responses with clear labeling and be matched to conversation topics, past chats, and user interactions—for example, recipe searches may trigger meal-kit service ads—though OpenAI assures advertisers will not access personal data or chat histories.[7][4] The company expects ads to represent less than half of its long-term revenue and has explicitly stated that advertisements will