ChatGPT advertisement is live! OpenAI: Paid users are unaffected and conversations are not monitored

OpenAI explains that ChatGPT displays ads only in the free and Go plans, with the models and responses unaffected, maintaining a principle of non-monitoring, non-interference, and user control to preserve trust and support high-volume free services.

In the latest episode of the OpenAI Podcast, OpenAI advertising and business operations director Asad Awan publicly explained why ads are introduced in ChatGPT, how they are presented, which users will see them, and how OpenAI uses a clear set of principles and mechanisms to uphold the bottom line of “non-monitoring, non-interference, and trust,” avoiding the privacy controversies and trust erosion familiar to outsiders.

Ads are only shown in the free and Go plans, not in Plus, Pro, or enterprise versions

Awan stated that ads in ChatGPT will only appear for free users and Go plan users, not for Plus, Pro, or enterprise users.

The company manages three product lines: enterprise clients, subscription services, and large-scale consumer products, each supported by its own business model; for most general users, introducing ads is seen as a feasible way to support “high usage, free access,” rather than quickly limiting usage.

Awan pointed out that OpenAI’s mission is to make “the best AI” accessible to more people. Without ads, free plans would necessarily have to restrict usage or offer weaker models; by introducing ads, they can provide free users with more complete and higher-spec services.

Prioritizing trust as the core principle, avoiding user feelings of being watched or monitored

Regarding external concerns that personalized ads might make users feel monitored, Awan straightforwardly said that no matter how effective, if it causes people to feel “they are being eavesdropped on or monitored,” it will not be accepted.

Therefore, OpenAI has set clear internal priorities:

“User trust takes precedence over user value, user value over advertiser value, and revenue last.”

Awan emphasized that even if short-term revenue might be higher, damaging user trust is not acceptable and will not be adopted.

OpenAI completely separates models from ads, with no sensitive conversations used for ad matching

Awan stressed that the training and responses of the models are unaffected by ads, and the models do not know whether ads are displayed on the screen; visually, answer areas and ad areas are clearly separated. If a user wants to inquire about ad content, they must provide the ad information themselves, as the model does not know the ad exists otherwise.

Additionally, conversations involving sensitive topics such as health, politics, or violence will not display ads and will not be used for ad matching. Definitions and judgments are based on internal policy teams and high-standard classification mechanisms within the models, which will continue to be refined and tested.

OpenAI does not disclose user conversations to advertisers, allowing users to control their privacy

Awan pointed out that advertisers cannot see user conversation content. Ad matching is handled by OpenAI’s internal system, aiming to deliver ads that are “helpful” to users rather than seeking maximum exposure; if no suitable ad is found, none will be shown.

Regarding user control, OpenAI provides options to view what data is used for ad personalization, choose whether to use past conversations, clear history, or turn off personalization; if users do not want to see ads at all, they can upgrade to Plus or Pro. Awan also admitted that such highly controllable and erasable designs are uncommon in the current advertising industry but are considered necessary for building trust.

OpenAI’s future direction involves proxy-style advertising, emphasizing transparency and user control

On long-term vision, Awan described that future ads might resemble “agent” models, helping users compare prices, find discounts, and suitable products; for small and medium-sized businesses, it could involve direct dialogue-based ad placement, lowering operational barriers and eliminating reliance on complex ad management.

In response to opposition against “no ads,” OpenAI believes that public distrust of online advertising has historical roots. The company aims to address this with clear principles, transparent mechanisms, and user control options, while also maintaining the choice of “paid, ad-free” plans, allowing users with different values to select their preferred usage mode.

• This article is reprinted with permission from: 《Chain News》
• Original title: 《OpenAI Discusses ChatGPT Ad Mechanism: Paid Users Not Affected, No Monitoring of Conversations》
• Original author: DW