ChatGPT to begin testing ads in free, Go tiers as OpenAI outlines ad principles

• Illustrative image generated using artificial intelligence.

By TechWatch PH Staff

OpenAI will begin testing advertisements in ChatGPT’s Free and Go tiers in the coming weeks, as the company moves to expand access to its AI tools while outlining safeguards aimed at preserving user trust, transparency, and privacy.

In a post on X on January 17, OpenAI said the ads will only appear in the Free and Go tiers, stressing that paid plans—including Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise—will remain ad-free.

“We’re sharing our principles early on how we’ll approach ads—guided by putting user trust and transparency first as we work to make AI accessible to everyone,” OpenAI said.

The company emphasized that responses generated by ChatGPT will not be influenced by advertising, and that ads will be kept separate from AI-generated answers and clearly labeled. It also assured users that conversations will remain private from advertisers.

OpenAI outlined four core principles guiding the rollout: mission alignment, answer independence, conversation privacy, and long-term value. According to the company, it will not optimize or tailor ChatGPT responses for advertisers and will prioritize user trust and experience over ad revenue.

Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive officer, separately confirmed the move, saying the company is starting to test ads in ChatGPT’s Free and Go tiers, including a newly introduced Go plan priced at $8 per month.

“Most importantly, we will not accept money to influence the answer ChatGPT gives you, and we keep your conversations private from advertisers,” Altman said.

Altman noted that many users want to use AI tools frequently without paying, and expressed hope that an ad-supported model could help make ChatGPT more widely accessible. He added that OpenAI aims to make ads increasingly useful to users over time, citing Instagram as an example of a platform where ads can surface products people may not otherwise discover.

OpenAI said it will continue refining its advertising approach as testing begins, reiterating that users will retain choice and control, including the option to use paid, ad-free tiers.