In a significant shift for one of the world's most popular AI tools, OpenAI has officially confirmed it will introduce advertising to ChatGPT. The move, announced on 20 January 2026, is designed to support the platform's long-term growth while expanding access through more affordable plans.
How Ads Will Work Inside ChatGPT
OpenAI has outlined a clear plan for how advertising will function within the chatbot. Crucially, ads will not appear inside ChatGPT's responses. Instead, they will be placed in designated areas of the app's interface, such as the home screen, which will be clearly marked.
The company strongly emphasised that the introduction of ads will not affect how the AI answers questions or assists users. "We don't believe ads should influence the output of our models," OpenAI stated, prioritising the maintenance of user trust in ChatGPT's reliability.
For privacy, OpenAI says conversations will not be used to target ads based on sensitive information. Ad personalisation will rely on general signals like location, and users will have controls to manage their ad preferences.
A New, Cheaper Subscription Tier
Alongside the ad announcement, OpenAI confirmed plans for a new, lower-cost subscription plan. This tier will be supported by advertising and is intended to sit between the existing free version and premium plans like ChatGPT Plus.
Existing paid subscriptions will remain completely ad-free. This multi-tiered approach aims to make ChatGPT more accessible globally, especially in regions where the current subscription cost is a barrier. The ad-supported option is framed as a balance between affordability and the platform's sustainability.
Why OpenAI is Making This Move Now
The decision stems from the immense cost of running large-scale AI models. OpenAI has frequently cited rising expenses for computing power, infrastructure, and safety research. Advertising provides an additional revenue stream beyond subscriptions.
The company has long expressed a desire to avoid making powerful AI tools accessible only to wealthy users or large organisations. Ads offer a pathway to fund continued free and low-cost access without removing the premium, ad-free experience for those who prefer it.
This development signals ChatGPT's evolution from an experimental chatbot into a mature consumer product with diversified funding. For users, the experience will now vary more distinctly based on their chosen plan, but OpenAI insists the core function of ChatGPT—helping users think and solve problems—will remain unchanged by advertising.
