New Delhi: OpenAI has outlined a new approach to advertising and access for ChatGPT as it expands globally and experiments with new revenue models. The
company said AI is approaching a stage where it can act as a personal super-assistant, and how access is distributed will determine whether it reduces inequality or deepens existing divides.
As part of that strategy, OpenAI announced that its low-cost subscription tier, ChatGPT Go, is now available everywhere ChatGPT operates, including the United States. Priced at $8 per month, the plan offers higher usage limits, image generation, file uploads, and memory features, while the company prepares to test advertising on its free and Go tiers in the coming weeks.
ChatGPT Go expands worldwide
ChatGPT Go first launched in August and has since rolled out to 171 countries. With its U.S. debut, OpenAI said it aims to give more people access to advanced AI tools at a lower cost. The company added that Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscriptions will remain ad-free.
OpenAI said the broader rollout reflects its push to make powerful AI tools accessible without forcing users into higher-priced plans.
Ads planned, but with strict limits
The company confirmed it will begin testing ads for logged-in adult users in the U.S. on free and Go plans. Ads are expected to appear at the bottom of responses when they are relevant to the ongoing conversation. They will be clearly labeled and visually separated from the main answer.
OpenAI said ads will not appear for users under 18, or alongside sensitive topics such as health, mental health, or politics.
Privacy and answer independence
OpenAI emphasized that advertising will not influence how ChatGPT answers questions. Responses will continue to be based on what is most useful to the user, not on paid placements.
The company also said conversations will not be shared with advertisers, and user data will not be sold. Users will be able to turn off ad personalization and clear ad-related data at any time.
A long-term revenue mix
According to OpenAI, ads are meant to support wider access to AI, not replace subscriptions. The company said it does not optimize ChatGPT for time spent or ad clicks, and that user trust takes priority over short-term revenue.
OpenAI added that advertising could help small businesses and emerging brands reach users through more interactive, conversational formats. Feedback from early tests will guide future changes, but the company said its focus on user control and trust will remain unchanged.
