ChatGPT is starting a limited ad test in the U.S. for logged-in adult users on the Free and Go tiers. The company says ads won’t influence answers, and conversations will remain private, while paid plans including Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education will stay ad-free.
The test follows last month’s announcement that ads would come to ChatGPT alongside a new lower-cost plan called ChatGPT Go. Priced at $8 per month, that offers more messages, image generation, file uploads, and memory compared to the Free tier.
The ad trial marks a shift toward a mixed funding model for the service. Running large AI systems requires ongoing infrastructure investment, and advertising could help keep free and low-cost tiers fast and reliable.
Ads will appear as clearly labeled sponsored listings that sit apart from the main answer, as you can see above. The company says responses will still be optimized for what is most helpful to the user rather than influenced by advertisers.
During the trial, ads will be selected by matching advertiser submissions with the topic of a conversation, past chats, and earlier ad interactions. Someone researching recipes, for example, could see ads for grocery delivery or meal kits.
If several advertisers match a topic, the system will show the one considered most relevant first. Sponsored items will always be labeled and separated from the organic response.
ChatGPT ad rules
The company says advertisers won’t get access to chat histories, memories, or personal details. Instead, it will only share aggregated data such as the number of ad views or clicks.
Ads also won’t appear on accounts believed to belong to users under 18. The company says the test will also block ads near sensitive or regulated topics such as health, mental health, or politics.
Users will have controls to manage the experience. They can dismiss ads, adjust personalization settings, delete ad data, or review ad history at any time.
The goal of the test is to learn from real-world use and feedback before any wider rollout. Privacy, clear labeling, and separation between ads and answers will remain core parts of the approach as the program develops.
Users who don’t want to see ads can upgrade to Plus or Pro, or choose the ad-free Free tier option with fewer daily messages.
What do you think about ads coming to ChatGPT? Let us know in the comments.