Katarzyna Petru
Starting today, ChatGPT is testing ads in the USA, targeting logged-in, adult users of the Free and Go plans. Subscriptions Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise remain ad-free. The company emphasises that the aim of the test is to support the further development of the service while maintaining user trust. At this stage, feedback is being collected to help refine the new solution.
Why ChatGPT is Introducing Ads
ChatGPT is used by hundreds of millions of users for learning, working, and everyday decisions, and maintaining high performance in the Free and Go plans requires significant investment in infrastructure. Ads are intended to help fund the further development of the service and provide widespread access to AI in free and cheaper options. Those who do not want to see ads can choose Plus or Pro, or turn off ads in the Free plan at the cost of a lower daily message limit.
How ads work and what about user privacy
The ads introduced do not affect ChatGPT's responses, which remain neutral and focused on genuinely assisting the user. Sponsored content is always clearly labelled and separated from responses, and its selection is based solely on the general context of the conversation and previous interactions with the ads, without access to private chats or personal data. Advertisers receive only aggregate statistics, such as the number of views or clicks.
During testing, ads will not be shown to underage users or in the context of sensitive topics, such as health, mental health, or politics. Users retain full control over ads, can dismiss them, provide feedback, check the reasons for their display, and manage personalisation or delete advertising data with one click.
Ads in ChatGPT are meant to be safe, transparent and fully under the user's control, without interfering with the content of responses and without access to private conversations. The company emphasises that this is a test solution, developed gradually with a focus on user privacy and trust.
source: openai.com
