ChatGPT introduces advertising to expand access
A new revenue layer aims to fund broader AI availability while preserving trust, privacy, and answer independence
AI is reaching a stage where access to advanced assistance could meaningfully shape opportunity and inclusion. To expand access while maintaining affordability, ChatGPT plans to introduce advertising tests for its free and low-cost Go tiers in the U.S., while keeping paid Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans ad-free. The company positions ads as a way to reduce usage limits and extend capabilities without charging all users. Throughout this shift, ChatGPT emphasizes that trust, privacy, and answer quality remain central.
Key takeaways
- Expanded access through new pricing and ads: ChatGPT Go is now available globally, including the U.S., at USD 8 per month, with ads planned for free and Go tiers to support wider access.
- Clear separation between ads and answers: Advertisements will not influence ChatGPT’s responses and will always be clearly labeled and separated from organic answers.
- Strong privacy protections: User conversations and data are not shared or sold to advertisers, and ads will not be informed by private chat content.
- User choice and control: Users can turn off ad personalization, clear ad-related data, dismiss ads, and opt for ad-free experiences via paid plans.
- Limited and cautious ad rollout: Initial tests will target logged-in adults in the U.S., exclude sensitive topics such as health and politics, and avoid showing ads to users under 18.
- Long-term focus on trust over engagement: The platform does not optimize for time spent or ad volume, prioritizing user experience and long-term value over short-term revenue.
Source: OpenAI
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