Users of ChatGPT may soon notice a significant change. Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, has announced that the company is beginning to test advertisements on ChatGPT’s Free and newly launched Go plans. The announcement marks a shift in OpenAI’s business model as it looks to expand access to AI while keeping paid tiers ad-free.
Ads to appear on Free and Go plans
Sam Altman shared the update through a public post, explaining that ads will be tested on the Free tier and the Go plan, which is priced at $8 per month. He stressed that OpenAI has laid down strict principles for introducing advertising. Most importantly, advertisements will not influence ChatGPT’s responses in any way, and advertisers will not have access to user conversations.
Altman noted that many users want to use AI tools extensively but are unwilling or unable to pay for subscriptions. Ads, he said, could help support wider access without compromising trust. He also added that OpenAI aims to make ads relevant and useful rather than intrusive.
Ads will not affect ChatGPT answers
OpenAI has clearly stated that advertisements will have no impact on the answers provided by ChatGPT. Companies will not be able to pay to influence responses or rankings. Ads and AI-generated answers will remain completely separate and clearly labelled, ensuring transparency for users. According to the company, protecting the integrity of responses is a top priority.
User privacy will remain protected
Addressing privacy concerns, OpenAI has assured users that their chats will remain private. Conversations will not be shared with advertisers, and user data will not be sold for ad targeting. The company says it is designing the advertising system with strong privacy safeguards and giving users control over how their data is handled.
Which plans will remain ad-free
OpenAI has confirmed that ads will not appear on its Pro, Business or Enterprise plans. These paid tiers will continue to offer a completely ad-free experience. The company emphasised that long-term user trust and experience matter more than short-term revenue.
Conclusion
With ads entering ChatGPT’s Free and Go plans, OpenAI is experimenting with a new way to balance accessibility and sustainability. By keeping responses unbiased, protecting privacy and exempting higher-tier plans from ads, the company aims to introduce advertising without undermining user trust.
