On January 17, 2026, OpenAI announced it will begin rolling out ads in ChatGPT to select U.S. users, targeting those in free and lower-priced tiers. The ads will appear at the bottom of responses, clearly labeled and relevant to the conversation, ensuring users can understand and dismiss them. Importantly, ads will not be shown to users under 18 and will avoid sensitive topics such as health and politics. OpenAI emphasizes that ad content will not impact ChatGPT’s responses, maintaining user privacy by not selling data to advertisers. Users can opt-out of ads via a paid, ad-free tier. This strategic move could enhance revenue, leveraging ChatGPT’s estimated 800 million active users, while prompting competitors to clarify monetization strategies. OpenAI remains committed to user feedback, aiming to refine ad offerings without undermining trust. Overall, this innovation represents a growing trend in AI monetization and user engagement.
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