ChatGPT Gets Ads — From Adobe to Target [2026]

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ChatGPT Ad Era: 3 Key Takeaways

  • OpenAI introduced ads to ChatGPT starting February 9th.
  • Major brands like Adobe, Audible, Ford, and Target are participating.
  • Ads are only shown to Free and Go plan users; paid subscribers are exempt.

OpenAI Finally Monetizes with Ads

OpenAI has started placing ads in ChatGPT. Sponsored ad testing began on February 9th for free and Go users in the US.[OpenAI]

Ads are displayed at the bottom of AI responses with a “Sponsored” label. Conversation content is not shared with advertisers.[TechCrunch]

Participating Brands and Agencies

Adobe, Audible, Ford, Mazda, and Target are participating in the pilot. Agencies Omnicom, WPP, and Dentsu have joined as well.[Adweek]

The minimum participation cost is $200,000 (approximately ₩280 million). The strategy is to validate the advertising value through small-scale testing.[Adweek]

No Ads for Paid Subscribers

Ads are only shown to adult Free and Go plan users in the US. Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers are not targeted.[OpenAI Help]

Contextually relevant ads based on keywords will appear in shopping-related conversations.[Target]

Will AI Chatbot Ads Become the Industry Standard?

Google has already included ads in AI Overview, and Perplexity is also testing sponsored questions. The atmosphere suggests that AI chatbot advertising is becoming an industry standard.

There are concerns that advertising could degrade the reliability of AI responses. The key is balancing user experience and revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are ChatGPT ads visible to all users?

A: No. They are only shown to Free and Go plan users in the US. Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education subscribers will not see ads. OpenAI has stated that it will maintain an ad-free environment for paid subscribers.

Q: What is the cost to participate in advertising?

A: The minimum is $200,000 (approximately ₩280 million). Small-scale testing is underway to validate valuable advertising formats for users. Currently, over 30 clients are participating.

Q: Can advertisers see the conversation content?

A: No. OpenAI does not share conversation content with advertisers. Ads are displayed based on keywords, and personal data is not sold.

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