On January 17, 2026, OpenAI made an announcement: ChatGPT will soon start showing links to sponsored products or services that are relevant to what users are discussing in the conversation interface. Initially, the test group will consist of free users who are logged in and are based in the United States, as well as subscribers to the ChatGPT Go plan. Advertisements will be presented as clearly labeled sponsored content, occupying a distinct area at the bottom of the chat window. This ensures they are not interwoven into the response text, thus preserving the objectivity of the replies. OpenAI has pledged that it will not sell user data to advertisers. Advertisers will remain unaware of user conversations, and they will have no authority to influence the content of the responses. Moreover, advertisements will not be shown to users under the age of 18, nor will they appear in conversations centered around sensitive topics like health, mental health, and politics. Regarding the paid subscription tiers, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Enterprise users will be spared from seeing any advertisements. In contrast, ChatGPT Go users will start encountering advertisements as the service expands its reach into the U.S. market. Users have the option to turn off personalized ads, clear data related to ad recommendations, and perform actions such as closing ads or providing feedback on them. OpenAI clarified that this initiative is aimed at subsidizing the computational costs associated with free and low-cost subscription tiers through advertising revenue. At the same time, the company will continue to make refinements in areas such as labeling, blocking sensitive scenarios, and offering user control options, all in an effort to strike a balance between commercialization and user experience.