OpenAI has announced that it will begin testing advertisements within ChatGPT for users in the United States in the coming weeks, marking a significant step toward diversifying its revenue streams beyond subscription services.
In a statement released on Friday, the company said the ads will be introduced on a trial basis and will be visible only to U.S.-based users. The advertisements will appear either above or below ChatGPT’s responses, but will not be embedded within the answers themselves.
According to OpenAI, ads will be shown only when there is a “relevant sponsored product or service” connected to the ongoing conversation. The company emphasized that the goal is to keep the user experience intact while offering advertisers contextual placement.
OpenAI also clarified that users under the age of 18 will not see any advertisements. In addition, ads will not be displayed alongside responses related to sensitive topics such as health, mental health, or politics.
To promote transparency, the company said users will be able to access information explaining why a specific advertisement has been shown to them.
The move signals OpenAI’s efforts to explore new monetization avenues as the popularity of ChatGPT continues to grow, while also addressing concerns around user safety, relevance, and trust.