ChatGPT Isn’t Testing Ads, OpenAI Executives Reaffirm Amid User Reports

OpenAI has said it is not running ads on ChatGPT, after online posts suggested otherwise. The company explained that what some users saw were suggestions for partner apps, not paid promotions. The clarification followed screenshots that appeared to show ad-style panels inside ChatGPT conversations, which triggered debate about OpenAI’s plans.

The discussion escalated when X user @BenjaminDEKR wrote, "I'm in ChatGPT (paid Plus subscription), asking about Windows BitLocker, and it's showing me ADS TO SHOP AT TARGET." The post circulated widely, with some readers assuming OpenAI had started an ad-supported experience, including for subscribers who pay for ChatGPT Plus access.

OpenAI ChatGPT ads confusion linked to partner app suggestions

Responding to the complaint, an OpenAI representative said the display had been misunderstood, adding, "This is not an ad. We've launched apps from some of our pilot partners since DevDay, including Target, and have been working to make the discovery mechanism for apps more organic inside ChatGPT. Our goal is for apps to augment the UX when relevant to a conversation, and we're still working on it. Anyone can build apps using the Apps SDK, and we plan to open submissions and the app directory soon."

OpenAI’s Chief Research Officer Mark Chen also addressed the incident in a post on X. Chen wrote, "I agree that anything that feels like an ad needs to be handled with care, and we fell short. We've turned off this kind of suggestion while we improve the model's precision. We're also looking at better controls so you can dial this down or off if you don't find it helpful."

For now, OpenAI says ad-style suggestions have been disabled while the system is refined. The company continues to test how apps from partners such as Target appear inside ChatGPT, and has indicated that wider app submissions and a public directory are expected once discovery tools work as intended.

Adding to the clarification, Nick Turley, Head of ChatGPT, also addressed the rumors on X, saying, "I'm seeing lots of confusion about ads rumors in ChatGPT. There are no live tests for ads - any screenshots you've seen are either not real or not ads. If we do pursue ads, we'll take a thoughtful approach. People trust ChatGPT and anything we do will be designed to respect that."

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