We take a look at how ChatGPT ads work

OpenAI has explained that even users of the free plan of ChatGPT will be able to disable them in exchange for fewer free messages per day.
February 10, 2026

As we informed you yesterday, ChatGPT has finally introduced advertising on its platform. In a relatively quiet manner (considering the significance of this development for the future of its business), Sam Altman’s company has now launched advertisements in ChatGPT, although for the time being, they will be limited to the United States.

This trial launch is intended for adult users who are logged in under the Free and Go plans. For now, the Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education plans will be exempt from displaying ads, which the company assures will not affect the responses provided by ChatGPT. Notably, the company has clarified that even users on the free plan will be able to disable advertisements “in exchange for fewer free messages per day.”

In a statement, OpenAI has been quick to assure that users’ conversations with ChatGPT will remain private with respect to advertisers. Furthermore, it has justified that the objective of this initiative is “to enable advertisements to provide broader access to ChatGPT’s most powerful features, while preserving the trust users place in ChatGPT for important and personal tasks. We are starting with a test in order to learn, listen, and to ensure that the user experience is appropriate.”

Advertisers do not have access to chats, chat history, memories, or users’ personal data. They receive only aggregated information about the performance of their ads, such as the number of views or clicks.

Looking ahead, the company assures that the advertising program “will evolve to support additional formats, objectives, and buying models, creating new ways for businesses to interact with consumers in ChatGPT.”

Ad manager for users…

The statement has allowed us to see the first images of how advertising controls will function for users who receive them, through a dashboard from which they may dismiss ads, provide feedback, learn how and why a particular advertisement is shown to them, delete their advertising data with one click, and manage ad personalization at any time.

Image: OpenAI

As you can see, users will be able to review in their history which advertisements they have recently viewed or interacted with on the platform, as well as delete all related information (history and interests) without affecting their chats. As previously reported by experts who have accessed the tool, ad personalization is optional. If deactivated, users will see advertisements based on the current chat (contextual ads), but they will be less relevant. If enabled, the system utilizes the abovementioned history and interests.

… and for brands?

The new ChatGPT advertising program has generated significant anticipation, resulting in more leaks than usual. Among these, for example, is that the pricing model will be based on CPM and may be around $60.

What has not yet been leaked is how the future ad manager will look—this will be the interface brands use to manage their presence on the ChatGPT platform. For now, what we know is that, in the first phase, advertising will be managed externally through direct contact between brands and the OpenAI team, and that those companies participating in this pilot phase have committed to investments nearing one million dollars.

Image: OpenAI

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Content manager in Marketing4eCommerce

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