With over 700 million weekly active users and counting, ChatGPT represents one of the most significant advertising opportunities on the horizon. While advertising on ChatGPT isn’t possible yet, OpenAI is actively building the infrastructure to make it a reality, and savvy marketers are already preparing for this paradigm shift in digital advertising.

At StubGroup, we’re at the forefront of this evolution, preparing our clients to capitalize on ChatGPT advertising when it launches. Join our waitlist to be among the first to advertise on this revolutionary platform.

Table of Contents

• Can You Advertise on ChatGPT?
• When Will ChatGPT Advertising Launch?
• What Has OpenAI Said About Advertising?
• How Much Will ChatGPT Ads Cost?
• What Will ChatGPT Ad Formats Look Like?
• Why Advertise on ChatGPT?
• How to Prepare for ChatGPT Advertising
• Get Ready with StubGroup

Can You Advertise on ChatGPT?

No, you cannot advertise on ChatGPT yet. OpenAI currently does not offer any advertising products or sponsored placement opportunities within ChatGPT. The platform generates revenue through subscription models (ChatGPT Plus at $20/month) and enterprise partnerships, not advertising.

However, this is changing rapidly. OpenAI is actively building the technical infrastructure and hiring the leadership team necessary to launch advertising capabilities, likely in 2026.

When Will ChatGPT Advertising Launch?

Based on internal documents and public statements from OpenAI executives, ChatGPT advertising is expected to launch in 2026.

According to reports from The Information, OpenAI’s internal revenue projections include approximately $1 billion in “free user monetization” revenue for 2026, with advertising likely being the primary driver of this new revenue stream.

Current Timeline Indicators:

September 2025: OpenAI posted a job listing for a “Growth Paid Marketing Platform Engineer” to build internal tools for campaign management, ad platform integration, and real-time attribution, which is a clear signal that technical infrastructure development is underway.

September 2025: Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s CEO of Applications (who previously led Facebook’s advertising business and built Instacart’s retail advertising platform), began searching for a Head of Advertising to oversee all monetization efforts including bringing ads to ChatGPT.

May 2025: OpenAI hired Fidji Simo as CEO of Applications, a role specifically focused on business operations and monetization. Simo spent over a decade at Meta, where she launched ads in Facebook’s News Feed and led the Facebook app’s advertising business.

These moves indicate that OpenAI is in the active planning and infrastructure-building phase, positioning for a 2026 launch.

What Has OpenAI Said About Advertising?

OpenAI’s stance on advertising has evolved significantly over the past year, shifting from outright opposition to cautious openness.

Sam Altman’s Evolving Position

2024 – Strong Opposition: In May 2024, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated at Harvard Business School that advertising would be a “last resort” for ChatGPT. He expressed concern about AI-powered advertising, saying “ads-plus-AI is sort of uniquely unsettling to me” and he expressed concern in an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman about products that might manipulate content to suit advertisers.

Altman also stated: “I kind of hate ads as an aesthetic choice… I like that people pay for ChatGPT and know the answers they’re getting are not influenced by advertisers.”

July 2025 – Opening the Door: On The OpenAI Podcast, Altman’s tone shifted considerably. “I’m not totally against it,” he said when discussing the possibility of ads in ChatGPT. He acknowledged that Instagram ads had changed his perspective: “I love Instagram ads, they’ve added value to me, I found stuff I never would’ve found, I bought a bunch of stuff.”

However, he maintained that any advertising product would require careful execution: “I think it’d take a lot of care to get right.”

October 2025 – Vision for the Future: In a recent Stratechery interview, Altman shared more specific thoughts on what ChatGPT advertising might look like. Rather than traditional banner ads, he suggested affiliate-based models: “If you buy something through Deep Research that you found, we’re going to charge like a 2% affiliate fee or something.”

He emphasized the importance of maintaining user trust: “How much do you believe you’re getting the thing that the company actually believes is the best content for you versus something that’s also trying to interact with the ads?”

Official OpenAI Statements

December 2024: CFO Sarah Friar told the Financial Times that while OpenAI was “open to exploring other revenue streams in the future,” the company had “no active plans to pursue advertising” at that time. She added that if ads were implemented, OpenAI would be “thoughtful about when and where we implement them.”

The messaging has been consistent: OpenAI is exploring advertising but wants to ensure any implementation maintains user trust and doesn’t compromise the integrity of ChatGPT’s responses.

How Much Will ChatGPT Ads Cost?

Pricing for ChatGPT ads has not been announced. However, we can make educated predictions based on comparable platforms and the value proposition ChatGPT offers.

Likely Pricing Models:

Cost-Per-Click (CPC): Similar to Google Ads, advertisers may pay when users click on sponsored links or recommendations within ChatGPT responses.

Cost-Per-Impression (CPM): For brand awareness campaigns, advertisers might pay based on how many users see their sponsored content.

Affiliate/Revenue Share: Based on Altman’s comments, OpenAI may implement a commission structure for e-commerce recommendations, charging a percentage (potentially around 2%) when users purchase products discovered through ChatGPT.

Sponsored Sessions: Brands might pay to sponsor entire conversation sessions or unlock premium features for users who engage with their content.

Expected Premium Pricing

Given ChatGPT’s highly engaged user base and the conversational nature of the platform, initial advertising costs are likely to be premium-priced compared to traditional display advertising. Early adopters should expect:

• Higher CPCs than Google Search ads initially
• Premium placement fees for high-intent queries
• Competitive bidding for popular categories and keywords
• Volume discounts for large-scale campaigns

The platform’s ability to deliver hyper-personalized, contextually relevant advertising based on conversation history and user preferences may justify higher costs through improved conversion rates.

What Will ChatGPT Ad Formats Look Like?

While OpenAI hasn’t officially revealed ad formats, we can predict what ChatGPT advertising will likely include based on the platform’s conversational nature and statements from executives.

Predicted Ad Formats:

1. Contextual Recommendations ChatGPT could naturally weave sponsored product or service recommendations into its responses when relevant to the user’s query. These would be clearly labeled as sponsored but seamlessly integrated into the conversation.

Example: A user asking for workout advice might see: “Based on your fitness goals, you might consider the Nike Metcon 9 training shoes (Sponsored).”

2. Sponsored Links Similar to Google’s search ads, ChatGPT might display sponsored links alongside or within its text responses, particularly for commercial queries.
3. Product Discovery in Ecommerce Queries When users ask ChatGPT for product recommendations or shopping advice, sponsored products could appear in the results, marked clearly as paid placements.
4. Affiliate Links As Altman suggested, ChatGPT might integrate affiliate links into product recommendations, earning a commission when users make purchases through those links.
5. Sponsored Sessions Brands might sponsor entire ChatGPT sessions, offering users access to premium features (like GPT-5 or advanced capabilities) in exchange for viewing sponsored content.
6. ChatGPT Pulse Sponsorships OpenAI’s personalized briefing feature, ChatGPT Pulse, could include sponsored content sections similar to newsletter sponsorships.

Key Principles OpenAI Will Likely Follow:

Transparency: Ads will be clearly marked as sponsored content to maintain user trust.

Non-Interference: Altman has emphasized that advertiser money will never influence ChatGPT’s core responses or recommendations. The AI’s output will remain unbiased.

Personalization: Leveraging ChatGPT’s memory features and conversation history, ads will be highly targeted and contextually relevant.

User Value: Following Altman’s Instagram ads example, OpenAI will aim to make ads genuinely useful rather than disruptive.

Why Advertise on ChatGPT?

ChatGPT represents a fundamentally different advertising opportunity compared to traditional digital channels. Here’s why forward-thinking marketers should prepare now:

1. Massive, Engaged Audience

With over 700 million weekly active users (as of August 2025), ChatGPT rivals the largest digital platforms. More importantly, these users are actively engaged in extended conversations, not passively scrolling feeds.

2. High Commercial Intent

Many ChatGPT users are researching products, comparing options, and making purchase decisions. The platform captures users at critical moments in the buyer journey.

3. Conversational Context

Unlike search ads that capture a single keyword query, ChatGPT ads can leverage entire conversation threads to understand user intent, providing unprecedented targeting precision.

4. First-Mover Advantage

Early advertisers on new platforms consistently outperform later entrants. Those who master ChatGPT advertising early will have lower competition and more learning time.

5. Lower Competition (Initially)

When ads first launch, competition will be relatively low, meaning lower costs and better placement opportunities for early adopters.

6. AI-Native Advertising

ChatGPT advertising represents the future of AI-native marketing, reaching users where they’re already turning for information, recommendations, and assistance.

7. Integration with Purchase Decisions

Unlike awareness-focused platforms, ChatGPT users often engage with the platform specifically to help make decisions, from product purchases to service selections.

8. Trust and Authority

ChatGPT has established itself as a trusted information source. Advertising that appears within ChatGPT responses benefits from association with that trust (while maintaining clear sponsorship disclosure).

How to Prepare for ChatGPT Advertising

While you can’t advertise on ChatGPT yet, smart marketers are preparing now. Here’s how to get ready:

1. Understand Conversational Marketing

ChatGPT advertising will be fundamentally conversational. Start training your team on:

• Natural language optimization (NLO) vs. traditional SEO
• Conversational content strategies
• AI-driven customer journey mapping

2. Optimize Your Brand for AI Discoverability

Make sure ChatGPT knows about your brand:

• Ensure your website has clear, AI-readable structured data
• Create comprehensive product descriptions and brand information
• Build authoritative backlinks from reputable sources
• Maintain up-to-date information across the web

3. Develop Your ChatGPT Advertising Strategy

Begin planning:

• Which products or services are best suited for conversational advertising?
• What user queries and intents should you target?
• How will you measure success in a conversational environment?
• What budget will you allocate to ChatGPT advertising?

4. Monitor OpenAI Announcements

Stay informed about:

• Official advertising product launches
• Beta testing opportunities
• Technical specifications and requirements
• Case studies from early advertisers

5. Build Relationships with AI-Native Agencies

Partner with agencies (like StubGroup) that specialize in AI-native advertising and are preparing for ChatGPT’s advertising launch.

6. Test Related Platforms

Get experience with similar AI-powered advertising:

• Microsoft Advertising’s AI chat experiences
• Perplexity AI’s sponsored questions
• Google’s AI Overviews with ads

7. Prepare Your Creative Assets

Start developing:

• Conversational ad copy that sounds natural, not promotional
• Product information optimized for AI recommendations
• Compelling value propositions that work in text-based conversations

8. Set Realistic Expectations

Understand that:

• Initial costs may be high as the market finds equilibrium
• There will be a learning curve
• Early campaigns will require significant optimization
• The platform will evolve rapidly after launch

ChatGPT Ads vs. Google Ads vs. Meta Ads: How They Compare

Understanding where ChatGPT advertising fits in your marketing mix requires comparing it to the platforms you already use. Here’s how ChatGPT ads will likely stack up against Google and Meta:

Key Differences That Matter:

Conversation Depth: Unlike Google’s single query or Meta’s scroll-and-stop model, ChatGPT captures extended conversations. Your ad might appear after a user has already discussed their needs, budget, and preferences, providing unprecedented targeting precision.

Context Accumulation: ChatGPT remembers previous conversations (with user permission). This means your ads can be informed by long-term user interests, not just a single session.

Trust Factor: Users approach ChatGPT as a trusted advisor, not an advertising platform. Ads that appear in this environment benefit from that relationship, but also face higher expectations for relevance and value.

Purchase Timeline: Google ads often target bottom-of-funnel searches (“buy Nike shoes near me”), while Meta excels at awareness and consideration. ChatGPT will span the entire funnel, from initial research to final decision-making.

The Winning Strategy: Most brands will use all three platforms in concert, with ChatGPT handling mid-to-bottom funnel consultative engagement, Google capturing high-intent searches, and Meta building awareness and interest.

How Different Industries Can Use ChatGPT Advertising

ChatGPT advertising won’t work the same way for every business. Here’s how different industries might leverage this new channel:

SaaS & Technology Companies

Opportunity: ChatGPT users frequently ask for software recommendations and technical solutions.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “What’s the best project management tool for a remote team of 15 people?”

Ad Integration: ChatGPT might respond with a comparison of options, including: “Based on your team size and remote work needs, you might consider Asana (Sponsored), which offers robust collaboration features and integrations. It includes real-time updates, mobile access, and starts at $10.99 per user/month.”

Best Practices:

• Target consultative queries like “best [tool] for [use case]”
• Provide genuine value through detailed feature comparisons
• Offer free trial links within the conversation
• Use conversation context to personalize recommendations

Expected ROI: High – B2B buyers increasingly use AI for software research before contacting sales.

E-commerce & Retail Brands

Opportunity: Shopping recommendations and product discovery queries are among ChatGPT’s most common use cases.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “I need a durable backpack for daily commuting and occasional weekend hiking trips, budget around $100.”

Ad Integration: “Based on your requirements, the Osprey Daylite Plus (Sponsored) at $95 would be an excellent fit. It’s built for daily use with a padded laptop sleeve, but also features hiking-friendly water bottle pockets and weatherproof fabric. It has a 4.7-star rating and comes with Osprey’s lifetime warranty.”

Best Practices:

• Target specific product category queries
• Include key decision factors (price, ratings, warranties)
• Use affiliate links for commission-based revenue sharing
• Leverage ChatGPT’s ability to match products to specific user needs

Expected ROI: Medium to High – Depends on product margins and conversion optimization.

Professional Services (Legal, Financial, Consulting)

Opportunity: Users frequently seek professional advice and service provider recommendations through ChatGPT.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “How do I choose a financial advisor for retirement planning?”

Ad Integration: After providing general guidance on credentials and questions to ask, ChatGPT might include: “To speak with a certified financial planner about your retirement goals, Fill In The Blank Financial Advisory (Sponsored) offers free initial consultations with fiduciary advisors. Schedule a consultation here.”

Best Practices:

• Position ads as the next step after educational content
• Emphasize credentials, certifications, and trust signals
• Offer low-commitment entry points (free consultations)
• Target informational queries that indicate service need

Expected ROI: Very High – Professional services have high customer lifetime values.

Healthcare & Wellness

Opportunity: Health-related queries are extremely common on ChatGPT, though advertising will need to be carefully regulated.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “What are some evidence-based approaches to managing anxiety?”

Ad Integration: After providing general information about therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, ChatGPT might note: “BetterHelp (Sponsored) offers licensed therapist consultations via video, phone, or messaging, with flexible scheduling and coverage starting at $65/week.”

Best Practices:

• Never compromise medical accuracy for advertising
• Target wellness and prevention, not treatment claims
• Comply with healthcare advertising regulations
• Emphasize professional credentials and legitimacy

Expected ROI: Medium – Highly regulated but high demand.

Education & Online Learning

Opportunity: Learning and skill development queries are perfect for educational product placement.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “How can I learn Python programming as a complete beginner?”

Ad Integration: “Many beginners start with interactive platforms. Codecademy (Sponsored) offers a Python course that takes you from basics to building real projects, with hands-on coding exercises and immediate feedback. They offer a 7-day free trial.”

Best Practices:

• Target specific skill or subject learning queries
• Highlight learning methodology and outcomes
• Offer trial periods or money-back guarantees
• Include social proof (completion rates, testimonials)

Expected ROI: Medium to High – Recurring subscription potential.

Travel & Hospitality

Opportunity: Trip planning and travel recommendations are natural ChatGPT use cases.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “What are the best family-friendly hotels in Orlando near Disney World?”

Ad Integration: “For families visiting Disney, the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Sponsored) is located 10 minutes from the parks and features a kids’ pool, free shuttle service, and family suites starting at $189/night. Book directly for the best rate guarantee.”

Best Practices:

• Target destination and activity-specific queries
• Include key decision factors (distance, amenities, price)
• Leverage urgency (limited availability, seasonal deals)
• Use conversation context to personalize recommendations

Expected ROI: High – Travel has strong intent and immediate booking potential.

B2B Services & Enterprise Solutions

Opportunity: Decision-makers use ChatGPT to research vendors and solutions.

Example Scenario: A user asks, “What should I look for in a cybersecurity audit provider for a 200-person company?”

Ad Integration: After explaining key qualifications, ChatGPT might add: “SecureNet Solutions (Sponsored) specializes in mid-market cybersecurity audits with SOC 2 Type II certified consultants. They offer a free security assessment to identify vulnerabilities. Learn more about their enterprise audit services.”

Best Practices:

• Target research-phase queries from decision-makers
• Emphasize credentials, compliance, and case studies
• Offer valuable lead magnets (assessments, whitepapers)
• Use industry-specific terminology to signal expertise

Expected ROI: Very High – B2B deals have large contract values.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChatGPT Advertising

When exactly will ChatGPT advertising launch?

While OpenAI hasn’t announced an official launch date, internal documents and executive hiring patterns strongly suggest a 2026 launch. OpenAI is currently building the technical infrastructure and hiring advertising leadership, which typically indicates a 6-12 month runway before public availability.

Will ChatGPT Plus subscribers see ads?

This hasn’t been officially confirmed. However, based on industry precedent (YouTube Premium, Spotify Premium), it’s likely that ChatGPT Plus subscribers will have an ad-free experience, while free users will see sponsored content. This would align with OpenAI’s stated goal of monetizing free users while maintaining the premium subscription value.

Can small businesses afford ChatGPT advertising?

While initial costs may be premium-priced, ChatGPT advertising should eventually be accessible to small businesses, similar to Google and Meta ads. OpenAI will likely offer:

• Self-serve advertising platforms with low minimum spends
• Flexible bidding options
• Budget controls and daily spending limits
• Scalable campaigns for businesses of all sizes

Small businesses with niche products or services may actually benefit from lower competition in specific conversational topics.

Will ChatGPT ads work for B2B companies?

Absolutely. In fact, ChatGPT may be particularly effective for B2B advertising because:

• Business decision-makers use ChatGPT for research and vendor discovery
• Complex B2B products benefit from conversational explanations
• Longer consideration cycles align with ChatGPT’s research-oriented use
• Professional users are heavy ChatGPT adopters

B2B companies should prepare to advertise on ChatGPT as actively as B2C brands.

How will ad targeting work on ChatGPT?

ChatGPT ad targeting will likely be context-based rather than demographic-based, using:

• Conversation topics and keywords from the current chat
• User intent signals (research vs. purchase-ready)
• ChatGPT memory features (with user permission) for long-term interests
• Query patterns indicating specific needs or problems
• Industry and category relevance to ensure ad fit

This represents a shift from traditional demographic targeting to intent and context targeting.

Will ads influence ChatGPT’s actual responses?

No. Sam Altman has been emphatic that advertiser money will not influence ChatGPT’s core responses or recommendations. Sponsored content will be clearly labeled and separate from the AI’s objective analysis. OpenAI understands that compromising response integrity would destroy user trust and the platform’s value.

What kind of ROI can I expect from ChatGPT ads?

ROI will vary significantly by industry, but early adopters typically see above-average returns due to:

• Lower competition in the initial launch period
• Highly engaged, research-oriented audiences
• Precise intent-based targeting
• First-mover learning advantages

Expect a 3-6 month learning curve as the platform matures and best practices emerge.

How do I measure ChatGPT advertising performance?

While specific metrics haven’t been announced, expect measurement to include:

• Conversation engagement: How many users interact with your ad
• Click-through rates: Traffic driven to your website
• Conversion tracking: Purchases or leads generated
• Attribution windows: Multi-touch attribution across conversations
• Return on ad spend (ROAS): Revenue generated per dollar spent

OpenAI will likely provide detailed analytics similar to Google Ads and Meta Business Suite.

Can I advertise if my product/service isn’t available globally?

Yes. ChatGPT advertising will almost certainly include geographic targeting options, allowing you to show ads only in regions where you operate. This is standard functionality across all major advertising platforms.

Will ChatGPT advertising replace Google Ads?

No. ChatGPT ads will complement, not replace, Google Ads. Each platform serves different use cases:

• Google Ads: High-intent, immediate-need searches
• ChatGPT Ads: Research, comparison, and consultative conversations
• Both platforms will coexist in comprehensive marketing strategies

Think of ChatGPT as an additional channel, not a replacement.

How do I get early access to ChatGPT advertising?

OpenAI hasn’t announced a beta program yet, but you can prepare by:

• Joining agency waitlists like StubGroup’s ChatGPT Advertising Waitlist
• Following OpenAI’s blog for official announcements
• Connecting with OpenAI’s advertising team on LinkedIn as they hire
• Watching for beta tester applications that may be announced

Working with an experienced agency can often provide earlier access through agency partnerships.

What types of businesses should NOT advertise on ChatGPT?

ChatGPT advertising may be less effective for:

• Impulse purchase products that rely on visual appeal
• Highly visual products where seeing is critical (fashion, art)
• Local businesses with limited budgets (unless targeting is very precise)
• Products with established dominant market leaders where price is the only differentiator

However, most businesses will find valuable use cases for ChatGPT advertising.

Will I need special technical knowledge to advertise on ChatGPT?

Likely no special technical knowledge will be required. OpenAI will probably offer:

• Self-serve advertising dashboard (similar to Google Ads)
• Campaign creation wizards
• Automated bidding options
• Built-in analytics and reporting

However, working with an experienced agency like StubGroup can help optimize performance.

How is ChatGPT advertising different from SEO?

ChatGPT advertising is paid placement, while traditional SEO focuses on organic search rankings. However, there’s overlap:

• Both require understanding how users ask questions
• Both benefit from authoritative, well-structured content
• “Natural Language Optimization” (NLO) is emerging as the AI-era equivalent of SEO

Smart marketers will pursue both paid ChatGPT ads and organic AI discoverability.

What happens if users don’t like the ads?

OpenAI is acutely aware that poorly implemented ads could damage ChatGPT’s reputation. Expect:

• User feedback mechanisms to report irrelevant or intrusive ads
• Quality controls to ensure ad relevance
• Clear labeling to distinguish ads from regular responses
• Premium ad-free options for users who prefer no advertising

OpenAI’s cautious approach suggests they’ll prioritize user experience over short-term ad revenue.

Get Ready with StubGroup

At StubGroup, we’re not waiting for ChatGPT advertising to launch. We’re preparing now to ensure our clients are ready to dominate this revolutionary new advertising channel from day one.

Why Partner with StubGroup for ChatGPT Advertising?

✓ AI-Native Expertise: Our team specializes in emerging AI advertising platforms and conversational marketing strategies.

✓ Early Access Preparation: We’re monitoring OpenAI’s developments closely and preparing frameworks to deploy immediately when advertising launches.

✓ Comprehensive Strategy: From audience targeting to creative development to measurement frameworks, we’ll build your complete ChatGPT advertising strategy.

✓ Proven Track Record: As a leading digital marketing agency, we’ve helped clients succeed on emerging platforms. We know how to capture first-mover advantage.

✓ Full-Funnel Integration: We’ll integrate ChatGPT advertising seamlessly with your existing marketing channels for maximum ROI.

Join Our ChatGPT Advertising Waitlist

Don’t wait until ChatGPT advertising launches to start planning. Join StubGroup’s exclusive ChatGPT Advertising Waitlist today and get:

• Priority onboarding when advertising launches
• Early access to our ChatGPT advertising frameworks and templates
• Updates on OpenAI’s advertising developments

Join the StubGroup ChatGPT Advertising Waitlist →

The brands that dominate ChatGPT advertising in 2026 and beyond will be those that prepare today. Partner with StubGroup to ensure you’re ready when this game-changing opportunity arrives.

Conclusion: The Future of Advertising is Conversational

ChatGPT advertising represents more than just another channel to add to your media mix. it represents a fundamental shift in how brands connect with consumers. As AI becomes the primary interface through which people discover information, make decisions, and interact with the digital world, conversational advertising will become increasingly critical.

While the exact launch date, formats, and pricing remain to be officially announced, the trajectory is clear: ChatGPT advertising is coming, and it will reshape digital marketing as we know it.

The question isn’t whether you should prepare for ChatGPT advertising—it’s whether you’ll be ready when it arrives.

Contact StubGroup today to position your brand for success in the era of AI-native advertising.

Last Updated: October 2025
This article will be updated as OpenAI releases official information about ChatGPT advertising capabilities.