OpenAI says ads will not appear in ChatGPT conversations anytime soon. However, a new report reveals the company is still testing how advertising might work inside its AI chatbot, keeping the idea alive despite earlier hesitation.
OpenAI is still considering “ChatGPT ads,” even after signals that the company had slowed work on advertising to focus on improving answer quality. According to The Information, OpenAI is reviewing concepts where sponsored content could be prioritized within ChatGPT responses.
This matters because paid placements appearing alongside advice could influence what users click, trust, or buy. However, the report makes clear that these are internal concepts and mockups, not a confirmed product launch.
In a statement to The Information, OpenAI acknowledged the exploration, saying it is “exploring what ads in our product could look like,” while emphasizing the importance of maintaining user trust.
How sponsored content could appear
One concept described in the report involves prioritizing sponsored content so it appears directly within ChatGPT responses. This approach would blend paid information into the same space as general advice.
Such placement is more sensitive because users may perceive the response as a single, unified recommendation rather than a mix of organic and sponsored content.
Another mockup suggests placing sponsored information in a sidebar next to the main ChatGPT response. This format is more familiar, as it visually separates advertising from the core answer.
Sidebar placement may be easier for users to identify as advertising, reducing confusion about what is sponsored and what is not.
Why ad timeline keeps changing
The idea of ChatGPT ads has surfaced multiple times and then faded from focus. After ad-related terms were spotted in an Android beta, a later report said OpenAI had pushed advertising work back.
At that time, leadership reportedly chose to prioritize response quality, especially as competition from Google’s Gemini intensified. The latest report suggests the ad concept was never abandoned, only temporarily deprioritized.
If ChatGPT ads move beyond testing, clear disclosure will be the first major sign. This would include visible sponsored labels, consistent placement across platforms, and transparent settings explaining personalization.
Another key signal will be where paid content appears—whether it remains confined to sidebars or begins blending into answers themselves.
For now, there is no rollout date. Until OpenAI shares official product details, these developments remain experimental, with attention likely shaped by competitive pressure from Google’s Gemini.
