OpenAI has big changes around the corner. While introducing their most affordable subscription tier to every country where ChatGPT is available, they’re also adding advertisements. This new announcement might not be surprising to most people, but it could greatly change how ChatGPT operates.
ChatGPT Go Expands
Aside from the free version of ChatGPT, Go is the most affordable subscription tier. It’s currently available in 171 countries, and it’s now coming to the U.S. and every other location where ChatGPT is available.
ChatGPT Go is $8 USD per month. It offers expanded access to messaging, image creation, file uploads, and memory, but like the free version, it will have ads once those launch. Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions won’t have any ads.
By expanding access to this low-cost version of ChatGPT, AI becomes more accessible, allowing more people to use it as a personal super-assistant without breaking the bank.
Keep an Eye Out for Advertisements
In the coming weeks, OpenAI will begin testing ads in the U.S. for free and Go accounts. Test ads will appear at the bottom of AI answers when relevant. They will be clearly labeled as “sponsored” so people don’t confuse them with the responses.
OpenAI embraces the inevitable: ads come to ChatGPT
— Eric Seufert (@eric_seufert) January 16, 2026
OpenAI announced today that it will soon (“in the coming weeks”) begin testing advertising in its Free and Go tiers in the United States.
I believe that ChatGPT’s advertising platform will be wildly successful. The gap between… pic.twitter.com/GuU8kFLgcF
OpenAI will take feedback into account and refine ads as needed. They’re aiming to create an ad experience that’s beneficial for both the users and advertising brands. With this new revenue source in place, OpenAI can more easily make AI accessible to everyone.
Since AI is constantly advancing, these ads will likely grow and change with the platform. For example, users may be able to ask questions directly to advertisements in the future to make more informed purchase decisions.
What to Expect from ChatGPT Ads
When advertisements start appearing on new platforms, people often worry about them getting in the way and making the content harder to read. OpenAI assures users that won’t be the case. They created a list of ad principles amid this transition:
- Advertising will always support the mission of making AI more accessible.
- Ads won’t influence ChatGPT’s answers.
- Conversations with ChatGPT remain private from advertisers.
- Users control how their data is used.
- OpenAI doesn’t optimize for time spent in ChatGPT.
With these promises in mind, users can feel more comfortable knowing that advertisements are only an addition to AI chats, not something that influences your results. Keep an eye out for ads as they start rolling out, and leave feedback as needed so the platform can improve advertising experiences.
How Can Brands Take Advantage of This?
As ads become a bigger part of ChatGPT, brands can start using it as a new advertising platform. Since ChatGPT ads are so new, it’s hard to tell how effective they’ll be and which industries will benefit the most. For now, brands can keep taking advantage of AI in other ways, such as AI optimization to enhance visibility in AI chats.
Need help navigating AI updates in your brand’s marketing? Contact Avenue Z today to see how we can help you stand out amid new trends.
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