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ChatGPT Ads Are Coming: What You Need to Know

ChatGPT Ads Are Coming: What You Need to Know

January 26, 2026
Updated:
January 26, 2026

ChatGPT Ads Are Coming: What You Need to Know

Hannah Eccleston

In the coming weeks, free ChatGPT and ChatGPT Go users in the U.S. will start seeing ads in ChatGPT, but Pro, Business, and Enterprise users remain ad-free. This marks a major change in how one of the most popular AI tools will function. For marketers, this opens the door to a new advertising channel, and for brands, it's an even bigger opportunity to get in early.

How Ads In ChatGPT Will Work

OpenAI is keeping ads separate from answers. That means:

  • Ads will never influence ChatGPT’s responses
  • Organic answers come first
  • Ads will be relevant to the conversation, but dismissible
  • Users can turn off ad personalization
  • Conversations remain private and are never sold to advertisers

With safety in mind, ads in ChatGPT won’t appear to users under 18 or during conversations about sensitive topics like health, mental health, or politics. At launch, ads will be simple sponsored product or service suggestions that appear after the main response. Over time, OpenAI plans to expand the possibilities for interactive ad experiences.

How To Run Ads In ChatGPT

Ads in ChatGPT should align with the topics users are asking about, be clearly labeled as sponsored, and provide value without interrupting the AI’s answers. By preparing content and offers that fit naturally into conversations, your digital marketing agency can position you to make the most of this emerging advertising channel.

What This Means for You

ChatGPT ads create a new channel for brands to reach engaged users in a high-trust environment. Unlike traditional digital ads, these placements are:

  • Contextually relevant
  • Clearly labeled as sponsored
  • Positioned after a helpful AI response

For small businesses and emerging brands, this is an opportunity to be discovered in a space where users are already seeking answers, not just scrolling feeds.

Get Ready for Ads In ChatGPT

Ads in ChatGPT are opening a new frontier in digital marketing, and brands that act now can gain a real advantage. Working with a digital advertising agency, like Red Shark Digital, ensures campaigns are set up thoughtfully, from relevant ad copy to reaching the right audiences. Ready to see how you can make the most of ChatGPT ads? Schedule a meeting with our team or explore our tactic library to learn more about paid advertising strategies.

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