Key Points:
- OpenAI’s new ad business reached $100 million in annual revenue in less than two months.
- The ads appear for free users and ChatGPT Go subscribers but stay away from sensitive topics.
- Rival company Anthropic mocked the move in a Super Bowl ad, but over 600 advertisers have already signed up.
- The company plans to expand the ad program to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand soon.
OpenAI just shared some big news about its bank account. Its brand-new advertising business is already bringing in serious cash. In less than two months since starting a pilot program in the U.S., the company has hit $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
The company began testing these ads back in January. They show up for people using the free version of ChatGPT and those on the “Go” subscription. Even though the idea of ads in a chatbot was controversial at first, businesses are clearly ready to pay big money for the space.
Not everyone is a fan of the move, though. Rival AI company Anthropic actually made fun of OpenAI’s new strategy during its first-ever Super Bowl commercial. Still, that hasn’t stopped over 600 advertisers from jumping on board to work with OpenAI.
If you are a ChatGPT user, you will notice these ads at the bottom of your chat answers. OpenAI promises they are clearly labeled so you won’t mistake them for real information. They also claim the ads will never influence the actual answers the AI gives you.
To keep things safe, the company has set some strict rules. You won’t see ads if you are under 18 years old. Plus, ads won’t show up next to sensitive topics like mental health, medical advice, or political arguments.
Currently, the rollout is moving slowly on purpose. While most U.S. users could technically see ads, fewer than 20% actually encounter them on a daily basis. Some advertisers feel frustrated by the slow pace, but OpenAI says it wants to learn from the pilot before going full-speed.
The project is also going international. OpenAI is already looking at testing the ad system in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It seems the company is determined to turn its popular chatbot into a massive money-making machine through digital marketing.
