ChatGPT Ads: 3 Key Takeaways
- Ads are now actually appearing on the free and Go plans.
- Plus, Pro, and Enterprise subscribers are ad-free.
- OpenAI states that AI responses are not influenced by ads.
ChatGPT Now Has Ads
OpenAI has started inserting ads into the free version of ChatGPT and the $8/month Go plan. This is being tested with adult users in the US.[The Verge] The ads appear at the bottom of the response and feature products related to the conversation topic.[OpenAI]
They are labeled as “Sponsored” for distinction. However, it might be annoying for free users.
No Ads for Paid Subscribers
The $20/month Plus, $200/month Pro, and Enterprise subscriptions are ad-free.[CNBC] If you hate ads, a paid subscription is the answer. Launching the Go plan in 171 countries for $8/month is also a low-cost subscription + ad revenue combination strategy.
OpenAI has stated that they will not sell user data to advertisers. Ads will not be shown to users under 18, nor will they appear next to political or health-related topics.
Is the Age of AI Chatbot Ads Dawning?
OpenAI’s annual revenue target is $25 billion.[Bloomberg] They’ve decided that subscription fees alone are not enough. It’s like they’re trying an advertising model in conversational AI, similar to Google search ads.
I’m a little worried about ads being mixed into AI responses. They said “no impact on responses,” but we’ll have to see how it goes in the long run. Hope this helps!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which ChatGPT plans show ads?
A: Ads are shown to free and $8/month Go plan users who are adult users in the US. They do not appear for Plus, Pro, and Enterprise paid subscribers. To avoid ads, you need at least a Plus subscription.
Q: Do ads affect AI responses?
A: OpenAI has stated that ads do not affect the content of responses. They are displayed separately at the bottom of the response with a “Sponsored” label. They have also stated that they will not sell user data to advertisers.
Q: What is the ChatGPT Go plan?
A: It’s a low-cost subscription launched in August 2025. It costs $8/month in the US and is available in 171 countries. It’s cheaper than Plus, but the difference is that it includes ads.
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References
- ChatGPT’s cheapest options now show you ads – The Verge (2026-02-10)
- Our approach to advertising and expanding access to ChatGPT – OpenAI (2026-02-10)
- OpenAI to begin testing ads on ChatGPT in the U.S. – CNBC (2026-01-16)
- OpenAI to Test Targeted Ads in ChatGPT – Bloomberg (2026-01-16)