Marking a significant shift in the AI platform's monetisation strategy, OpenAI has announced the implementation of advertisements for ChatGPT users on the free and USD 8/month Go plans. The ads will appear beneath the AI-generated responses.

Users with Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions will remain ad-free.

OpenAI is reportedly asking advertisers for a USD 60 per 1,000 impressions (CPM) rate. This is substantially higher than Meta's average CPMs, which typically range from USD 10 to USD 20, and is on par with premium advertising inventory, such as during live NFL broadcasts or highly targeted streaming TV ads.

Advertisers will initially receive only high-level performance metrics, such as total impressions and clicks, but not detailed conversion data, as OpenAI has committed to keeping user conversations private. The company maintains that user conversations will not be shared with advertisers, and that personal data and health information will not be used for advertising model training or influence ChatGPT's response content. 

Ads will not appear near sensitive or regulated topics, specifically including health, mental health, or politics, the company added.

Ad testing is planned to start in the United States in the coming weeks.