OpenAI is preparing to roll out advertisements inside ChatGPT for the first time, according to newly discovered code inside its Android app.
The development marks a significant shift from the company’s earlier stance of keeping the chatbot ad-free since its launch in 2022.
Computer engineer Tibor Blaho first spotted new references to ads and shopping tools in a beta version of the ChatGPT Android app. He noted that version 1.2025.329 beta includes mentions of an “ads feature,” “bazaar content,” “search ad,” and “search ads carousel.”
These references suggest that OpenAI is actively testing a framework for displaying advertisements within the chatbot interface.
ChatGPT has remained completely ad-free since November 2022. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had previously described ads as a “last resort,” maintaining that the company preferred other revenue models. But in June, Altman softened his stance, saying on his company’s podcast: “I’m not totally against it… I think ads on Instagram are kind of cool.”
This shift indicates growing openness within the company to explore advertising as a major revenue stream.
Huge targeting potential and high stakes
OpenAI gathers extensive conversational data through ChatGPT interactions.
Experts say this could make future ads highly personalised — and therefore highly valuable to advertisers.
Meanwhile, despite expecting $13 billion in sales in 2025 from premium ChatGPT tiers, OpenAI still has not turned a profit.
Its projected revenue is overshadowed by roughly $22 billion in spending, primarily for AI chips, data centres, and other infrastructure needed to train and host large models.
A recent HSBC Global Investment Research report suggests that OpenAI may continue to operate at a loss until at least 2030.
The report estimates that OpenAI will require an additional $207 billion for future AI data centre expansion, even after massive cloud-renting deals with Microsoft and Amazon worth nearly $300 billion.
With rising operational costs and long-term infrastructure demands, advertising may become a necessary revenue pillar.
Future of ChatGPT’s business model
As subscriptions to premium ChatGPT plans grow, analysts expect ads to emerge as the next major income source to offset soaring spending.
The leaked code signals that OpenAI is now preparing the technical groundwork.
Since the company has not made an official announcement, user response remains unclear.
However, introducing ads into a platform built on trust and personal interaction may raise questions about data use, transparency, and user experience.
