OpenAI to Introduce Ads on ChatGPT Free and Go Tiers in India

OpenAI has announced that it will introduce advertisements on its ChatGPT Free and Go subscription tiers in India. The rollout follows recent updates to the platform’s terms of service that permitted advertising while users interact with the artificial intelligence assistant.

What Happened

OpenAI confirmed on Thursday that advertisements will begin appearing for users in India subscribed to the Free and Go tiers. This initiative follows the company’s disclosure in February that it counts over 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users in India, with a substantial portion using these lower-priced or free plans.

The company stated on Wednesday that the program will initially feature advertisements from 50 brands. To manage the rollout, OpenAI has collaborated with global agency networks WPP and Omnicom. According to Dave Dugan, head of global ads solutions at OpenAI, ChatGPT Ads are designed to allow businesses of any scale to reach users during relevant, contextual moments as decisions are being made.

This advertising model is part of a broader geographic rollout. OpenAI previously started displaying advertisements to users in the United States in February and extended the feature to European users earlier this month.

Key Highlights

• Ads will be shown to users on ChatGPT Free and ChatGPT Go subscription tiers in India.
• India hosts over 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users, primarily on the free and Go tiers.
• The rollout begins with promotions from 50 initial brands in partnership with WPP and Omnicom.
• An ad manager platform will debut next month, requiring a minimum daily budget of ₹725 ($7.60).
• OpenAI’s past expansion in India included a sub-$5 Go plan in August 2025, promotions during the IPL and WPL, and hiring Uber’s India head.
• The platform’s advertising expansion aligns with broader revenue-boosting efforts ahead of a potential initial public offering (IPO) expected this year or next.

Why This Matters

India is a major user base for OpenAI. The company has invested heavily in cultivating local adoption by launching an affordable sub-$5 monthly ChatGPT Go tier in August 2025, offering limited-time free access for an entire year, and advertising across major sporting events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The company also brought on Uber’s former India head to direct local expansion.

Monetising through advertising in high-volume markets like India forms part of OpenAI’s drive to reinforce its revenue streams ahead of an anticipated IPO, which is expected this year or next. According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI registered $6.7 billion in revenue for the second quarter ending June 2026, up from $5.7 billion in the prior quarter. Separately, The Information reported that OpenAI had targeted 220 million paying subscribers by 2030, rising from 35 million paying users across its Plus and Pro tiers as of last November.

What to Watch Next

Marketers will gain broader direct access next month with the launch of an ad management platform, which will allow businesses to create campaigns subject to a daily minimum spending requirement of ₹725 ($7.60).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ChatGPT tiers in India will display advertisements?

Advertisements will appear for users on the ChatGPT Free tier and the ChatGPT Go subscription tier.

How many brands are participating at launch?

OpenAI confirmed that it is starting the program with 50 brands, working alongside agencies WPP and Omnicom.

What is the minimum budget required to advertise on ChatGPT?

When the self-serve ad manager launches next month, campaigns will require a minimum daily spend of ₹725 ($7.60).

Are advertisements active in other regions?

Yes. OpenAI introduced advertisements to users in the United States in February and expanded them to Europe earlier this month.

Source: Based on reporting from TechCrunch.