OpenAI recently unveiled intentions to trial advertising on its widely used ChatGPT service, specifically within the United States. This initiative will apply to the free and economically priced subscription levels of the platform, deliberately excluding the more premium ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers from advertising exposure. The core rationale behind this selective implementation is to enhance platform accessibility by easing usage restrictions for a greater number of users.
Importantly, OpenAI emphasized that user-generated content, including conversations and data, would not be commoditized or shared with advertising partners. Furthermore, the advertisements introduced will not influence the AI's conversational responses, thus maintaining the integrity of ChatGPT’s interactivity. The company also committed to transparency by clearly marking when content presented is an advertisement.
As of December 2025, ChatGPT amassed an impressive user base, with approximately 900 million active weekly users. This rapid adoption categorizes it among the fastest-growing consumer applications to date, positioning it as an attractive avenue for marketers. Given the platform's expansive reach, analysts anticipate substantial revenue generation from the advertising initiative over the coming years.
Forecasting Revenue Through Advertising
Financial analyst Mark Mahaney from Evercore ISI has put forth estimates suggesting that, if OpenAI successfully executes its advertising strategy, ChatGPT's advertising division could potentially generate annual revenues reaching $25 billion by 2030. This projection derives from considerations including market scale forecasts for ChatGPT in that timeframe, comparative monetization patterns observed on other digital marketing platforms, and extensive evaluations of OpenAI’s total potential addressable market.
To contextualize, OpenAI itself recorded revenues exceeding $20 billion in 2025, signifying that the projected advertising income could see the company’s top-line more than double within five years. Such dual revenue streams—spanning subscription fees and advertising—could offer OpenAI financial robustness and strategic diversification.
Market Impacts and Competitive Dynamics
Mahaney’s analysis further underscores the competitive significance of integrating ads into ChatGPT. He notes that this move encroaches on the traditional dominance held by Google in online advertising, especially considering Google's reliance on its search engine for commercial queries. Should OpenAI cultivate an advertising environment on ChatGPT that complements rather than detracts from the user experience, it may attract valuable advertising dollars that would otherwise flow to Google.
This competitive positioning depends heavily on user receptiveness to advertisements on ChatGPT. While ads could enhance discoverability of relevant products and services within a highly engaging platform, there exists a potential risk of alienating portions of the user base who prefer an ad-free interaction. The success of this strategy will rely on maintaining a balance between monetization and user satisfaction.
Strategic Considerations for Investors
From an investor’s standpoint, the integration of advertisements within ChatGPT signals a pivotal juncture where OpenAI’s spectacular user growth transitions more explicitly into monetized revenue streams. The stakes are high, given the company’s elevated profile and market expectations.
The degree to which advertising may affect the user experience creates an element of uncertainty. Some users might perceive ads as intrusive, potentially diminishing the platform's authenticity and leading to user attrition. Yet, if the platform sustains its growth trajectory while successfully generating substantial advertising revenues, investor sentiment towards this new business line could be overwhelmingly positive.
Ultimately, OpenAI confronts a critical milestone: converting widespread enthusiasm and engagement into durable, profitable business models without compromising the platform’s core user appeal.