OpenAI Introduces Advertising to ChatGPT for Free Users
OpenAI is set to launch advertising in its widely used chatbot ChatGPT, starting Monday, February 9, 2026. This advertising will be visible to users of the free service and the Go package, while premium paid plans will remain free of ads.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNBC that ads will appear among the responses, designed to be relevant to user queries. CEO Sam Altman previously referred to this move as the company's "last resort."
This announcement follows OpenAI's earlier statement that advertising would begin "in the coming weeks," making the launch seem somewhat premature.
The decision has not gone unnoticed, as rival company Anthropic seized the opportunity to mock OpenAI's move, launching a campaign during the Super Bowl that criticized the introduction of ads. Altman responded angrily on Twitter, labeling the campaign as blatantly deceptive.
On a positive note, Altman informed employees via Slack that ChatGPT has seen a monthly growth rate of over 10%, according to a CNBC report, indicating sustained popularity despite increasing competition and challenges.
This development marks a new phase for ChatGPT, balancing a free, ad-supported offering with paid, ad-free plans in a competitive landscape of artificial intelligence.
