At the crack of dawn on January 17, 2026, Beijing time, OpenAI made a bombshell announcement. It revealed that, in the upcoming weeks, it would be rolling out a test for ChatGPT ad placements in the United States. This test would encompass not only free - tier users but also subscribers to ChatGPT Go, which comes at a price of $8 per month. However, premium subscribers to Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers will still be able to enjoy an ad - free experience. The ads are set to show up as individual modules at the bottom of the responses. To ensure transparency, they will be clearly labeled. Moreover, the system is designed to automatically block ad displays when it comes to sensitive topics. These include health consultations, mental health counseling, and political discussions. OpenAI has given its firm commitment that user conversation records will remain strictly private and will not be impacted in any way. Additionally, users have the freedom to clear data related to ad placements whenever they wish. This ad testing initiative is being launched in tandem with the low - priced subscription plan, ChatGPT Go. This plan offers a whopping 10 times the message quota compared to the free tier. It also comes with features such as file uploads and image generation. OpenAI clarified that this strategic move is aimed at striking a balance between commercialization and user experience. The ad revenue generated will be used to support the development of AI models and cover operational costs.