OpenAI has started testing ads inside ChatGPT for Free and Go users in the United States, marking the first monetization push through advertising for its AI chatbot. The test excludes users on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans.
We’re starting to roll out a test for ads in ChatGPT today to a subset of free and Go users in the U.S.
Ads do not influence ChatGPT’s answers. Ads are labeled as sponsored and visually separate from the response.
Our goal is to give everyone access to ChatGPT for free with… pic.twitter.com/S9BV24uJLb
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 9, 2026
The move comes after OpenAI rolled out the lower-cost ChatGPT Go tier globally in mid-January, positioning the ad test as part of its strategy to fund infrastructure costs and expand access to powerful AI tools.
The company said ads will not influence ChatGPT’s answers and that conversations remain private. Ads will be clearly marked as sponsored and visually separated from responses.
OpenAI emphasized that advertisers will not see user data or chat histories, with targeting based on topics discussed, past ad interactions, and memory data.
In a blog post, OpenAI said users can control how ads are personalized, dismiss specific ads, view their ad history, and opt out of personalization or ad data retention entirely.
Ads will not be shown near sensitive topics like health or politics and will be restricted from accounts belonging to users under 18. OpenAI also stated that this initial test will shape the broader rollout, with future plans to support new ad formats, buying models, and business engagement within ChatGPT.