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OpenAI to test visual ads alongside ChatGPT image generation in the US

OpenAI announced on Monday a new visual ad format for ChatGPT, to be tested in the US later this month, appearing with generated images. It also expanded ad measurement partnerships.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: The Verge
Image: TechCrunch

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2OpenAI announced on Monday 5 October a new visual ad format for ChatGPT, which will show images of sponsored products and services and will initially appear when users generate images. Mixed · 2Testing begins later this month in the US only for now, with an initial group of advertisers. Mixed · 2OpenAI first brought ads to ChatGPT in February; until now they showed only a company's name, logo and a link in a "sponsored" section beneath the chat. TechCrunch adds that ads were expanded to India in August and are meant to support the free and low-cost tiers.

Mixed · 2OpenAI says the visual ads will stay separate from the generated image, be clearly labelled and not influence ChatGPT's answers. According to The Verge, they won't appear for Plus, Pro or Enterprise subscribers. Left · 1OpenAI says it has guardrails to judge when a conversation is appropriate for ads, aiming to keep them out of "emotionally vulnerable, sensitive, or otherwise unsuitable contexts". Centre · 1Alongside the format, OpenAI is expanding its ad measurement tools and partners, including click-attribution providers such as AppsFlyer, Adjust and Kochava, and geo-based experiment partners Haus, Measured and WorkMagic. It is also piloting brand-suitability evaluation with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science.

Centre · 1TechCrunch links the move to Meta's launch of Muse, a free agentic AI app, and says the ads could disrupt user experience or push casual users to subscribe; it says advertisers could eventually reach ChatGPT's 1.2 billion weekly users once ads roll out globally.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Short news item framed as ChatGPT getting more ads, with emphasis on what users will see and the safeguards.
Emphasis
Ad format, exclusion of paid plans, guardrails for sensitive contexts.
Leaves out or plays down
Measurement partners, competitive context and business rationale.
Charged language
“sticking more ads”
For example
“OpenAI’s latest ad format will put images of sponsored products and services on your screen.” — The Verge

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Business and product-strategy report on OpenAI building an ad business, with competitive and user-experience context.
Emphasis
Advertiser tools, measurement partners, Meta's Muse, 1.2 billion weekly users, subscription incentive.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the guardrails for emotionally vulnerable or sensitive contexts or that paid plans are ad-free.
Charged language
“woo online advertisers”
For example
“Combined, the moves see OpenAI working to make ChatGPT a viable ad-supported business for those on free and low-cost plans.” — TechCrunch

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.