Ads are coming to ChatGPT free and Go plans, with ChatGPT Go now available worldwide

OpenAI has announced that it plans to start testing the display of ads for users based in the US on the free and Go plans soon. The company claims that this decision will lead to more users having expanded access to its AI tools for an affordable price or even without having to pay. OpenAI emphasized that ads will not influence ChatGPT's responses and will be clearly labeled at the bottom of answers when relevant sponsored products or services exist. Additionally, OpenAI clarified that it will always provide an ad-free version of its services, currently as its Pro, Plus, Business, and Enterprise subscription plans.

In parallel, OpenAI also confirmed that ChatGPT Go, its low-cost subscription tier initially launched for the Indian market, is now available in the US and all markets where ChatGPT operates. Since August 2025 and before this announcement, the Go plan was available in 171 countries. The Go plan provides expanded access to messaging with OpenAI's flagship model (currently GPT-5.2 Instant), image creation, file uploads, and memory features at a lower price point than existing tiers. Notably, ChatGPT Go does not include access to the more powerful reasoning models, Sora for video generation, the Codex agent, the deep research product, or OpenAI's other agentic tools.

OpenAI outlined five core principles guiding its advertising approach: that its deployment of ads across ChatGPT free and Go tiers will always be aligned with making AI accessible to a broader audience, that ChatGPT's answers will remain independent from advertising targeting and focused on what is most useful to users, that it OpenAI won't sell user data to advertisers, that users will retain control over their data, and that long-term value will be prioritized over engagement metrics.

OpenAI also specified that ads will not appear for underage users or in conversations involving sensitive topics such as health, mental health, or politics.