The way people search for information is undergoing a significant shift. Millions are now turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT, expecting direct answers rather than sifting through lists of links. With over 800 million weekly active users, ChatGPT has become a central hub in this transformation, influencing everyday decision-making. This level of engagement hasn’t gone unnoticed by advertisers or OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot.
On February 9, 2026, OpenAI began displaying advertisements within ChatGPT conversations for users on the free and $8-per-month Go tiers in the United States. This marks a new era for the AI platform, integrating advertising directly into the user experience. The move aims to monetize the platform’s massive user base although, according to OpenAI, maintaining the integrity of the chatbot’s responses and user privacy.
How ChatGPT Ads Work
The introduction of ChatGPT ads represents a fundamental change in how users interact with the platform. Advertisements are designed to appear separately from the chatbot’s responses and are clearly labeled as sponsored content. They will be positioned at the bottom of answers when a relevant product or service is identified. The ads are currently being tested with users on the free tier and the Go subscription plan, while those on higher-tier plans (Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise) will remain ad-free.
Advertisers are reportedly paying a $60 CPM (cost per mille, or cost per 1,000 impressions) for these ads, a rate comparable to premium streaming and NFL inventory, and significantly higher than typical Meta CPMs, which often fall below $20 according to PPC.land. The minimum commitment for advertisers is $200,000. Early participants include major brands like Target, Ford, Mrs. Myers, and Adobe, with support from leading advertising holding companies like WPP Media, Omnicom, and Dentsu.
A Rapid Shift in AI Monetization
ChatGPT’s rapid growth since its public launch in late 2022 – processing hundreds of millions of daily prompts – has driven this shift towards monetization. Users are increasingly relying on AI chat tools for tasks previously handled by traditional search engines like Google and Bing. While OpenAI has raised approximately $64 billion in investment, its revenue generation has lagged behind, making advertising a key component of its future financial strategy.
OpenAI has made several commitments to users regarding these ads. The company states that ads will not influence the answers provided by ChatGPT, user data will not be sold, and personalization of ads is optional. But, as of February 18, 2026, a public ad platform for ChatGPT does not yet exist.
User Reaction and Initial Challenges
The rollout of ChatGPT ads hasn’t been without its challenges. Reports indicate that the initial implementation has been uneven, with only a subset of eligible users currently seeing advertisements as noted by PPC.land. The response from users has been mixed, with some expressing concerns about the impact of ads on the user experience.
This move by OpenAI is part of a broader trend of convergence between artificial intelligence platforms and the advertising infrastructure that supports them. Google is as well making strides in AI-powered commerce with new shopping ad units in its AI Mode, signaling a significant shift in how brands reach consumers.
As AI chatbots continue to evolve and gain prominence, the integration of advertising is likely to become more sophisticated. The challenge for platforms like ChatGPT will be to balance monetization with maintaining user trust and providing a valuable, unbiased experience.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the long-term impact of ChatGPT ads. Monitoring user feedback, advertiser performance, and the evolution of OpenAI’s ad platform will be key to understanding the future of advertising in the age of AI. Share your thoughts on the new ads in the comments below.
