OpenAI Introduces Advertisements to ChatGPT for Free Users
OpenAI has initiated the rollout of advertisements within its widely used chatbot ChatGPT, effective Monday, February 9, 2026. These ads will be visible to users of the free service and those subscribed to the Go plan, while users on higher-cost paid plans will not encounter any advertisements.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed to CNBC that advertisements will appear below user responses, designed to be relevant to the queries made. CEO Sam Altman previously referred to this strategy as the company’s "last resort" for generating revenue.
This announcement follows OpenAI's earlier statement indicating that ads would be introduced "in the coming weeks," suggesting that the launch has occurred sooner than anticipated.
The decision has prompted reactions from competitors, notably Anthropic, which leveraged the situation by launching a campaign during the Super Bowl that criticizes OpenAI's move. Altman responded to the campaign on Twitter, labeling it as misleading.
On a more positive note, Altman informed company employees via Slack that ChatGPT has experienced a resurgence, achieving a record monthly growth rate exceeding 10%, as reported by CNBC. This indicates sustained user interest despite the challenges posed by increased competition.
With this development, ChatGPT is entering a new phase, navigating the balance between offering a free, ad-supported service and maintaining ad-free options for paid subscribers, amidst a competitive landscape in the artificial intelligence sector.
