On 16 January 2026, OpenAI announced plans to begin testing advertisements in its ChatGPT chatbot for users on the free and Go tiers in the United States. The company said the ads will start appearing in the coming weeks, marking a notable shift in OpenAI’s revenue strategy as it seeks new ways to cover the high costs of AI development.

💰 Shift from Subscription-Only Model

OpenAI has traditionally relied on paid subscriptions to generate revenue. However, this move introduces advertising into its core product experience for the first time. The company explained that ads will appear separate from the text generated by ChatGPT, therefore ensuring that chat responses remain unaffected by advertising content.

Only users of ChatGPT’s free tier and its lower-priced Go plan will see ads. Meanwhile, paid subscribers on higher-tier plans such as Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise will continue to use ChatGPT without ads. This tier-based distinction reflects a strategy to protect the experience of existing paying customers.

📱 ChatGPT Go Expansion

Alongside the ad test, OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT Go subscription globally. Initially launched in India, the Go plan now becomes available in more regions, including the U.S. for $8 per month. The plan offers a budget-friendly alternative that still includes ads, while premium tiers remain ad-free.

🚫 Data and Output Safeguards

OpenAI emphasized that it will not share user conversation data with advertisers. It also clarified that advertising will not influence the chatbot’s answers. The company said ads will only appear in “appropriate contexts” and will remain distinct from ChatGPT’s conversational outputs. These safeguards aim to reassure users about privacy and core functionality.

📈 Why the Change

The move reflects financial pressures faced by OpenAI as it invests heavily in computing infrastructure and large-scale AI research. The company reportedly plans significant spending on data center capacity and next-generation models, which increases the need for diversified revenue streams beyond subscriptions.

Analysts note that introducing ads could unlock revenue from ChatGPT’s hundreds of millions of users, most of whom currently use the free version. However, they also caution that poorly implemented ads might concern some users and potentially push them toward competitors.

👁️ Ad Placement and User Experience

OpenAI said it will label ads clearly and may restrict them from showing on sensitive topics such as health or politics. The company also plans to avoid showing ads to users under 18 years old. These measures aim to maintain user trust and prevent intrusive advertising practices.

Overall, the introduction of ads in ChatGPT represents a careful balance between monetizing the platform and preserving the core user experience.