Settled
OpenAI to test visual ads in ChatGPT image generation from late October
In short
OpenAI plans to begin mass testing a new visual advertising format in ChatGPT on its free tier in the US at the end of October, with ads first appearing during image generation. The company says the ads will be placed separately from the AI-generated image and will not affect ChatGPT's answers, and that Plus, Pro and Enterprise subscribers will see no ads. OpenAI first tested ads in the chatbot in February 2026, when they appeared as a sponsored block under the chat window.
Why it matters
The move extends advertising inside ChatGPT, which OpenAI began testing in February 2026, to a visual format on the free tier in the US. It keeps paid subscriptions ad-free, drawing a line between the free and paid experiences. The documents give no figures on revenue, advertiser spending or user reaction.
Key facts
- OpenAI plans to start mass testing a new visual ad format on ChatGPT's free tier in the US at the end of October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- In the first stage the ads will appear during image generation by ChatGPT. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The ads will be shown as images of advertised goods and services rather than as a text sponsor block. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The ads will be placed separately from the AI-generated image and, according to the company, will not affect ChatGPT's answers. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ads were first tested in ChatGPT in February 2026, shown in a special block under the chat window with the company name, logo and a product link. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The new format is being tried with a limited group of advertisers, and OpenAI said it plans to test other ad placements as well. [ 1 , 2 ]
- OpenAI said it uses restrictions so that ads do not appear in conversations involving emotionally vulnerable or other sensitive topics. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ads will not be shown to users on the Plus, Pro and Enterprise paid plans. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The new visual ad format will be tested on the free tier in the US starting at the end of October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Ads will initially appear during image generation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The ads will be separated from the generated image and, per the company, will not influence ChatGPT's responses. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Until now ads appeared in a special sponsored block under the dialogue, containing the company name, logo and a product link. [ 1 , 2 ]
- OpenAI began testing advertising in ChatGPT in February 2026. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Paid subscribers on Plus, Pro and Enterprise plans will not see ads. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The exact start date of the test and the number or identity of advertisers in the first group. Both detailed reports say only “end of October” and describe the first advertiser group as limited, without names or numbers.
- Whether the visual ad format will be extended outside the US or to other parts of ChatGPT. The documents describe a US test and say OpenAI plans to try other formats, but give no detail on other markets or placements.
- Whether ads could affect ChatGPT's answers in practice. The claim that ads will not influence responses comes from the company and is repeated by the tech outlets; the documents offer no independent verification.
What local media are saying
Technology mediaThe technology outlets reported the planned ad format as a product update from OpenAI: the US free-tier test at the end of October, image generation as the first surface, the separation of ads from the generated image, contextual restrictions for sensitive conversations, and the ad-free paid tiers. They also recalled the February 2026 debut of ads in a sponsored block under the chat. Coverage came directly from OpenAI's announcement, with no independent data on the test and no user reaction.
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Timeline, local time
- iXBT reports that OpenAI will begin showing visual advertising in ChatGPT, starting with the free tier in the US at the end of October and initially during image generation. [ 1 ]
- 3DNews reports the same planned test, noting the first ad format from February 2026 and the company's contextual restrictions. [ 2 ]
- Habr News reports that OpenAI is introducing visual ads that appear while ChatGPT generates images. [ 3 ]