OpenAI is said to be working on introducing ads inside ChatGPT, and with this strategy, the company is planning to monetize its massively popular AI chatbot. The idea is to use ChatGPT’s growing understanding of users, their interests, location, and chat habits to deliver ads that feel natural and conversational.
The company’s approach centers on ChatGPT’s new “memory” feature, which allows the model to remember details from past interactions. This same feature could soon power personalized ads, showing sponsored responses within chats, much like Google’s tailored ads appear alongside search results. These ads might recommend products, trips, or services based on what users have discussed, and may even reference their preferences directly.
The company has not confirmed any details yet, but the internal discussions indicate that ad-supported responses are under active testing. Reports suggest that OpenAI has been experimenting with sponsored replies in limited trials involving travel and consumer brands. If expanded, users might soon see buy buttons or product links integrated into conversations.
However, not everyone inside OpenAI is fully on board. CEO Sam Altman has previously cautioned against ads, calling them potentially “trust-destroying.” But with the high costs of running large models and a growing user base, he has recently signaled that ads might be necessary, if implemented in a “thoughtful” and “tasteful” way.
Furthermore, OpenAI has also started hiring senior executives with advertising experience, which strongly hints at long-term plans for ad monetisation. But using user memory to target ads could raise red flags about sensitive data handling and algorithmic manipulation.
The company has promised users transparency and control, saying it would provide clear options to opt out of ad targeting and to comply with global privacy laws such as GDPR. OpenAI also emphasises that it wants to build an advertising model that enhances the chat experience without compromising impartiality.
So, how the company will introduce ads on the platform and what users’ reaction will be are things only time will tell. But for now, personalized ads in ChatGPT are still in testing.
