OpenAI is exploring the integration of advertisements into ChatGPT, prioritizing sponsored content over organic results, as highlighted in recent internal discussions reported by The Information. Employees are considering granting preferential treatment to promotional chatbot responses, potentially featuring ads prominently. For example, when asked about ibuprofen dosage, users might see an Advil ad first, while essential dosage information may be relegated or omitted. This model resembles traditional search engines, where users often navigate past multiple ads for organic content. OpenAI acknowledges possible user dissatisfaction with intrusive ads, prompting discussions on strategies to incorporate them subtly, such as displaying them only after a user’s second prompt to maintain engagement. Current experimentation includes elements like “feature ads” and a “search ads carousel,” as discovered in the ChatGPT Android app’s beta version. An OpenAI spokesperson emphasized their commitment to maintaining users’ trust while exploring ad functionalities as the platform evolves.
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