The news: OpenAI has officially launched ads inside ChatGPT for some users, turning a long-discussed monetization idea into a live product and introducing ads to parts of its consumer base.

• Ads now appear for adult users on ChatGPT’s free tier and the $8-per-month Go plan, while Plus, Pro, Enterprise, and Education tiers remain ad-free, per NBC News and The Verge.
• Ads are limited, clearly labeled, and confined to specific plans, reflecting a cautious approach as OpenAI balances revenue pressure with user trust.

How it works: OpenAI is emphasizing guardrails around how ads appear, who sees them, and how they’re targeted.

• Sponsored links are visually separated and placed beneath responses, with OpenAI stating that ads do not influence model outputs.
• Targeting is based on conversation topics, prior chats, and past ad interactions, though advertisers do not see user conversations or personal data, according to OpenAI.
• Users can opt out of ad personalization, dismiss ads, or delete ad-related data; free users can also opt out of ads entirely in exchange for fewer daily messages.
• Ads will not appear for users under 18 or alongside sensitive topics such as health, mental health, or politics.

Why it matters: Advertiser demand is forming quickly, driven more by influence and reach than by proven performance. The test signals a meaningful shift in how large-scale AI assistants may be funded as infrastructure costs rise and usage scales globally.

• Major agency groups including Omnicom Media, Dentsu, and WPP Media have joined the pilot, representing brands across automotive, CPG, retail, technology, travel, and entertainment, per Ad Age.
• Advertisers committing to $200,000 minimums are paying roughly $60 CPMs, positioning ChatGPT closer to premium streaming inventory than to search. CPMs are based on views rather than clickthrough rates, though OpenAI says advertisers can see clicks.