Announced Jan 16 · Testing begins Feb 2026
800M weekly users.
Zero advertisers.
OpenAI is adding ads to ChatGPT's free tier. We're building the playbook for marketers who want to be ready on day one.
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OpenAI Announcement
ChatGPT ads are officially happening
800 million weekly users. Semantic targeting. The window to prepare is now.
Jan 16
Announced
OpenAI confirms ads
Feb
Testing
Limited partner testing
Q2
Rollout
Broader US rollout
TBD
Self-Serve
Platform opens
Preparation window closing
From OpenAI's Jan 16 announcement
What OpenAI has confirmed
Based on official statements from OpenAI and CFO Sarah Friar.
Who sees ads
Free & $8 Go users
$20+ subscribers won't see ads
Ad placement
Below AI responses
Clearly labeled "Sponsored"
Targeting
Conversation context
AI matches ads to what users ask about
Launch market
United States only
International expansion TBD
Excluded categories
Politics, health, minors
No ads on sensitive topics
How to buy
Direct sales only
No self-serve ad platform yet
First movers on new ad platforms win big
The same pattern repeats every time a major platform opens to advertisers.
Google Ads · 2000
Amazon
Built $30B ads business on cheap early CPCs
Facebook Ads · 2007
Zynga
Grew to 300M users via early FB ad arbitrage
TikTok Ads · 2020
Duolingo
Went from 5M to 50M users with early TikTok ads
ChatGPT Ads
Why this opportunity is unique
High purchase intent
Users literally ask ChatGPT "what should I buy?" Your ad appears as they decide.
Context, not keywords
ChatGPT understands "planning a trip to Japan" means travel—not just keyword matching.
First data trains the algorithm
Early advertisers shape how targeting works. Your competitors can't catch up later.
No self-serve platform yet
When OpenAI opens the ad platform, prepared brands move first. Others scramble.
Free guide · Launches with ChatGPT ads
The ChatGPT Ads Playbook
A complete guide to advertising on ChatGPT: what works, what to avoid, and how to set up your first campaign.
Expected CPM ranges
Targeting best practices
Launch day checklist
Updates as we learn more
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