The ChatGPT Ads service reached an annualized revenue of $1 billion in less than 200 days after its launch. OpenAI announced that tens of thousands of advertisers are already using the platform, which is expanding into new regions.
This expansion covers India, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. In these territories, advertisers will have the opportunity to acquire campaigns directly through the Ads Manager, as communicated by the company.
Advertising has established itself as one of OpenAI's business pillars, alongside consumer subscriptions, corporate products, and usage-based APIs. This revenue model also helps fund the free version of ChatGPT, which is supported by ads.
The company reports that the service is accessible to over 1 billion active weekly users. The advertising format exploits a common behavior pattern among chatbot users: they arrive on the platform with a decision already in mind, whether it is choosing software, studying a language, planning a renovation, looking for a job, or discovering a new hobby.
During this exploration phase, the user details what they are looking for and what their priorities are, and this is where OpenAI plans to insert advertising content. The ads are designed to consider the context of the ongoing conversation, presenting advertising relevant to the researched topic. In certain countries, and depending on the selected settings, the system may also take into account data from the user's overall experience on ChatGPT.
OpenAI assures that ads are kept strictly separate from the responses generated by the chatbot and that these are always clearly identified. Furthermore, the company guarantees that advertisers do not have access to users' private conversations, allowing for this control over ad personalization.
The principles announced by OpenAI included that, by August 2026, ChatGPT Ads would be operational in over 40 countries, supported by the OpenAI Ads Solutions team and agency and technology partners.
Expansion of Partner Network and Platform Features
The partner network has also shown growth, encompassing more than 50 technology and measurement companies. After the launch of the Ads Manager in May, small and medium-sized businesses have gained a significant presence in the current business.
The platform has been enriched with features such as product feeds, geographical and platform targeting options, as well as custom audiences. Campaigns using CPC bids and results optimization account for the largest volume of campaigns.
OpenAI plans to bring ads to more markets and add new formats, objectives, purchasing options, and measurement tools. The company also intends to experiment with more integrated ways to connect businesses and consumers within the ChatGPT environment, focusing on the moment an individual researches, evaluates alternatives, and makes a decision.