ChatGPT is testing ads for some U.S. users on both the free and Go subscription tiers, its most affordable offerings.
Why it matters: It could be the beginning of the end of ad-free ChatGPT.
What they're saying: "Our goal is for ads to support broader access to more powerful ChatGPT features while maintaining the trust people place in ChatGPT for important and personal tasks," an OpenAI spokesperson told Axios.
- The company says ads will not influence ChatGPT's answers, which it says will remain focused on what is "most helpful."
- If a user asks about recipe ideas, the answer may be followed by a grocery delivery service ad, for example.
- Ads won't be shown to those who are predicted to be under 18, and are not eligible to appear near "sensitive or regulated topics like health, mental health or politics."
Zoom in: The ads you see will be shaped by what you're discussing, your prior chats and any reactions you give to ads that you hide or engage with.
- The company says it matches those details to ads without sharing them with advertisers, who "never see your personal details or conversations."
- You can also clear your ad data, which it says "won't affect your chats."
- Users can opt out of ads by paying for ChatGPT Pro or Plus subscription plans.
The intrigue: Free and Go users can also opt out of ads in exchange for fewer daily free messages, OpenAI says.
Zoom out: To include ads in chats is a key sticking point among AI companies right now.
- Anthropic promised it would remain ad-free alongside a Super Bowl ad that appeared to swipe at OpenAI's ad promise.
- Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, said at Davos that the ad launch from OpenAI felt early, noting that maybe they needed ads to bring in more revenue.
Between the lines: OpenAI declared a "code red" moment in December amid increased competition, specifically from Google.
- CEO Sam Altman instructed employees to focus solely on making ChatGPT better. If you're going to focus on one thing, it has to make money at some point.
- Cue the launch of ads.
What we're watching: Whether ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscriptions will remain ad-free.
