OpenAI Introduces Advertisements in ChatGPT for Free Users
OpenAI is set to introduce advertisements in its popular chatbot ChatGPT on February 9, 2026. These ads will be visible to users of the free service and those on the Go plan, while higher-tier paid subscriptions will be free of advertisements.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to CNBC that the ads will appear beneath the chatbot's responses, tailored to be relevant to user queries. CEO Sam Altman previously described this move as a "last resort" for the company.
This announcement comes after OpenAI indicated that ads would begin "in the coming weeks," making the launch somewhat unexpected.
The decision has attracted attention, particularly from OpenAI's competitor, Anthropic, which has taken advantage of the situation by launching a campaign during the Super Bowl that criticizes OpenAI's advertising approach. Altman responded to this criticism in a tweet, calling it misleading.
On a positive note, Altman informed company employees via Slack that ChatGPT has experienced monthly growth exceeding 10%, according to a CNBC report, reflecting its ongoing popularity despite increasing competition.
With this development, ChatGPT enters a new phase, balancing the provision of a free service supported by advertisements with paid plans that remain ad-free, amid intense competition in the artificial intelligence landscape.
