OpenAI to Bring Visual Ads to ChatGPT During Image Generation

OpenAI is expanding advertising inside ChatGPT with a new visual ad format that will allow companies to promote products and services using larger, image-focused advertisements.

The company announced that the new format will begin testing in the United States later this month, initially with a limited group of advertisers. The move expands on ChatGPT's existing advertising system, which previously relied on more traditional sponsored placements.

Visual Ads Coming to ChatGPT

The upcoming advertisements will use images to showcase products, services, and experiences. Instead of relying primarily on text, advertisers will be able to use larger visuals, including multiple thumbnails or a wider image format.

OpenAI says the goal is to give businesses a more visual way to introduce their products while users are exploring ideas and making decisions within ChatGPT.

Initially, the company plans to test these advertisements during image generation. This means users who ask ChatGPT to create an image may see a sponsored visual alongside the generated result.

The advertisement will remain separate from the AI-generated image and will be clearly identified as sponsored content.

Ads Will Not Influence ChatGPT's Answers

OpenAI says advertising will remain separate from ChatGPT's responses.

According to the company, advertisements will not determine or alter the answers generated by ChatGPT. OpenAI also maintains that conversations remain private from advertisers, meaning advertisers do not receive access to users' chats, chat history, memories, or personal information.

This separation is intended to prevent commercial interests from affecting the information users receive from the AI assistant.

Stronger Safeguards for Sensitive Conversations

OpenAI is also putting safeguards in place to prevent advertisements from appearing in inappropriate or sensitive situations.

The company's advertising policies state that ads should not be placed alongside conversations involving sensitive personal circumstances, high-stakes situations, emotionally vulnerable users, or other contexts where advertising could undermine user trust.

OpenAI says it will use automated systems as well as human oversight to monitor whether these protections are working as intended.

Who Will See the New Ads?

The visual advertising test will initially take place in the U.S., with the first phase scheduled to begin later in October 2026.

OpenAI's current advertising program is aimed at users on its Free and Go tiers. Paid plans such as Plus and Pro, as well as Business plans, do not receive ads according to OpenAI's current advertising information.

The company has already been expanding its advertising program into additional markets throughout 2026.

OpenAI Expands Its Advertising Business

The new visual format is part of a broader effort by OpenAI to build ChatGPT's advertising business.

Alongside visual ads, the company is expanding tools that allow advertisers to measure campaign performance and is working with external partners on attribution and brand-suitability measurement.

OpenAI says ChatGPT now reaches approximately 1.2 billion people each week, giving advertisers access to a huge audience through an AI-focused platform.

The company believes conversational AI can offer advertisers a different way to reach consumers because users frequently use ChatGPT to research products, compare options, and make purchasing decisions.

What This Means for ChatGPT Users

For users, the introduction of visual ads represents another step in the evolution of ChatGPT from an AI assistant into a broader platform for discovering products and services.

The key question will be whether the new advertisements remain unobtrusive and genuinely relevant. OpenAI says its priority is to keep ads clearly separated from AI responses while protecting conversation privacy.

The company is expected to learn from the initial U.S. test before deciding how broadly to expand the new format.
 

Final Thoughts

OpenAI's new visual ads could significantly change how advertising works inside ChatGPT. Rather than displaying only text-based sponsored placements, the company is moving toward richer advertisements that can use images to showcase products and services.

The initial test will focus on image-generation sessions in the United States, with ads clearly labeled and separated from generated content. OpenAI also says that advertisements will not influence ChatGPT's answers or give advertisers access to private conversations.

If the initial test proves successful, visual advertising could become an important part of ChatGPT's growing commercial ecosystem.