OpenAI has started inviting a small group of advertisers to commit at least $200,000 to participate in the early beta rollout of ads in ChatGPT, according to AdWeek. The test is intentionally limited, with some brands beginning ad experiments as early as February 6, the report said.

AdWeek reported that OpenAI is limiting access to ChatGPT ads to only a few brands at the start. An OpenAI spokesperson told AdWeek that the narrow scope is deliberate, as the company aims to understand what types of ads provide value to users before expanding the program.

Advertisers see different budget requests

While the stated minimum is $200,000, AdWeek reported variation in proposed spending levels. Search intelligence firm Adthena stated that some advertisers were approached with budgets of around $250,000, particularly in the retail and streaming sectors, while other sources reported requests ranging from $100,000 to $125,000.

The move aligns with earlier reporting on how OpenAI plans to monetize ChatGPT. Previous reporting has suggested the company is positioning ChatGPT ads as premium inventory, with early pricing around $60 CPM. During the testing phase, ads are expected to be impression-based rather than performance-driven, with campaigns closely managed.

More formats and buying options may follow

AdWeek reported that OpenAI plans to introduce additional ad formats and buying models over time. The company reportedly wants to determine how ads can be integrated in a way that adds value before scaling the program. OpenAI declined to provide timelines or specifics on what those future formats might look like.

The longer-term approach reflects OpenAI’s push to explore new revenue streams for ChatGPT beyond subscriptions, offering advertisers a chance to appear within the AI’s chat interface. This effort aligns with OpenAI’s broader commercialization plans. The company is reportedly preparing for a potential IPO as early as Q4 2026, competing with AI rival Anthropic to be among the first major generative-AI startups to go public.

Revenue diversification, including advertising, could strengthen its position with investors. OpenAI faces competition from rivals such as Anthropic and technology giants like Google, which are also developing generative AI products and seeking market dominance.

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