ChatGPT to Display Ads, Introducing New Subscription Tier to Avoid Them
Meta Description: OpenAI’s ChatGPT will soon integrate advertisements into user queries, prompting the launch of a new $8/month subscription plan for an ad-free experience.
The era of ad-free AI chatbots is coming to an end. OpenAI today announced that ChatGPT will begin displaying advertisements in user queries in the coming weeks, a move widely anticipated but nonetheless marking a significant shift for the popular AI platform. The introduction of ads coincides with the launch of a new, more affordable subscription tier designed for users who prefer an ad-free experience.
While advertisements are ubiquitous across the modern internet, AI chatbots have largely remained untouched by them – until now. Google, for example, has stated that ads will not be integrated into its Gemini chatbot, though the company is experimenting with ads within its AI-powered Search features.
The arrival of ads within ChatGPT was, according to industry observers, “inevitable.” OpenAI has outlined how these advertisements will function. For free users and those on the newly introduced $8/month “Go” plan – which offers ten times the message capacity, file upload capabilities, and image creation features of the free tier, alongside enhanced memory – ads will appear at the bottom of responses when a relevant sponsored product or service aligns with the ongoing conversation.
In OpenAI’s demonstration, a user query regarding “authentic Mexican dish ideas” was followed by an advertisement for a grocery delivery app featuring hot sauce. Another example showcased lodging advertisements for a city the user was researching, complete with the option to “chat with” the sponsor for further information. Users have already noted that the ads occupy a considerable amount of screen space, though their size and presentation will likely vary depending on the AI’s response.
The $8 “Go” plan represents a mid-tier option, significantly less expensive than the $20/month ChatGPT Plus subscription, which remains ad-free.
OpenAI envisions a future where AI-powered advertisements are not merely disruptive, but genuinely helpful. “The best ads are useful, entertaining, and help people discover new products and services,” a company release stated. “Given what AI can do, we’re excited to develop new experiences over time that people find more helpful and relevant than any other ads.” The company anticipates that conversational interfaces will allow users to directly ask questions to sponsors, facilitating informed purchase decisions.
To mitigate concerns, OpenAI has established guidelines restricting advertisements from appearing near sensitive or regulated topics such as health, mental health, or politics. Furthermore, advertisements will not be displayed to users under the age of 18.
The initial rollout of these advertisements will be limited to a “test” phase within the United States. As the program expands, OpenAI will likely refine its approach based on user feedback and performance data.
