If OpenAI opens the door to ChatGPT advertising, it could change digital marketing as much as Google Search did in the 2000s or Facebook Ads in the 2010s.
ChatGPT already reaches 5.1 billion visits each month and handles about 2.5 billion prompts every day (AllAboutAI, 2025). It now has around 66 million daily users (AppMagic, 2025), making it one of the most-used digital platforms in the world.
That’s not just raw traffic.
People spend time asking questions, exploring ideas, and making decisions. These conversations represent a new kind of user intent – high engagement, high curiosity, and often high trust in the answers they get.
For advertisers and businesses, that opens an exciting possibility. What if you could reach users inside these intent-rich chats with messages that feel helpful, not disruptive?
Right now, ChatGPT doesn’t run ads. OpenAI has confirmed that there are no ad units yet, though it’s testing product recommendation and shopping features that hint at what’s coming next.
This article looks ahead to what ChatGPT ads might look like, how they could work, and what marketers can do today to prepare. We’ll also share the latest stats, explore how ChatGPT use compares to Google Search, and give practical steps for brands that want to be ready when conversational advertising becomes real.
Think of this as your early guide to the next big ad platform – before everyone else starts fighting for attention on it.
Where ChatGPT Stands Today
Right now, ChatGPT doesn’t display ads of any kind.
OpenAI has said it isn’t focused on advertising yet, but it hasn’t ruled it out either (The Verge, 2025). That means we’re in a rare window of time where the platform has massive traffic but no paid placements competing for attention.
Instead of ads, ChatGPT is experimenting with features that point toward future monetization. One example is its shopping and product recommendation tools, which let users compare items and view suggestions inside chat (Reuters, 2025). These experiences are not sponsored or affiliate-driven – at least for now – but they show how commercial content could eventually fit naturally within a conversation.
From a business standpoint, the potential is hard to ignore.
ChatGPT currently dominates the AI chatbot market with around 60 percent market share (AllAboutAI, 2025). It’s integrated into everyday workflows, educational tools, and even enterprise systems. More than 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies have already experimented with ChatGPT or integrated it into their operations (DesignRush, 2025).
That kind of adoption matters because it tells us two things.
First, ChatGPT isn’t just a consumer curiosity. It’s becoming a daily utility, like search or email. Second, when ads do arrive, they won’t just reach casual users – they’ll reach professionals, teams, and decision-makers.
So while there’s no ad inventory today, the foundation is clearly being built. ChatGPT’s high engagement, data-rich context, and trusted tone make it a natural candidate for contextual advertising that feels conversational rather than intrusive.
Why ChatGPT Advertising Matters for Marketers and Businesses
People often ask: Why prepare for ChatGPT ads now, if they don’t exist yet?
The answer is simple – the platform’s audience, engagement, and intent make it one of the most promising places for future advertising.
Here’s why it matters.
Massive Reach and Growing Influence
ChatGPT has become one of the most visited platforms on the internet, with 5.1 billion monthly visits. That puts it on par with major search and social networks.
Unlike typical traffic sources, ChatGPT users spend time in deep, ongoing conversations. They’re not scrolling past ads; they’re actively asking for information, ideas, and recommendations. For marketers, that’s a dream scenario – an audience that’s already engaged and open to guidance.
A New Kind of User Intent
Traditional search is transactional. People look for a product, click a link, and leave. ChatGPT, on the other hand, captures exploratory intent – users are brainstorming, comparing options, or planning.
A recent study found that about 70 percent of ChatGPT queries represent new types of intent that don’t show up in Google’s data (Sixth City Marketing, 2025). That’s a huge opportunity for advertisers to reach people earlier in their decision process, before they’ve narrowed down their choices.
Higher Engagement and More Link Interaction
ChatGPT users interact differently than search users.
On average, they click 1.4 external links per session, compared to Google’s 0.6.
That means when ChatGPT provides links – or eventually sponsored suggestions – users are more likely to explore them. For marketers, it signals stronger engagement and a higher chance of conversion, especially when the ad feels like a natural part of the chat experience.
Potential to Reach Professionals and Decision-Makers
ChatGPT isn’t just a consumer tool anymore. Over 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies use it in some form (DesignRush, 2025). Inside businesses, it’s used for writing, data analysis, product research, and workflow automation.
This makes it a unique space for B2B advertising.
Imagine reaching decision-makers during the very moment they’re exploring solutions or drafting internal strategies. That’s far beyond what display or search can do today.
Early Mover Advantage
Finally, being early matters. Every major ad platform rewards first adopters – those who test, learn, and optimize before competition floods in.
If ChatGPT ads launch in the next year or two, marketers who already understand conversational intent and structured data optimization will have a huge head start.
How ChatGPT Ads Could Work
Right now, no one outside OpenAI knows exactly what ChatGPT advertising will look like. But based on what’s happening with other platforms and what OpenAI has already tested, we can make some smart predictions.
The goal will likely be to make ads feel helpful, not disruptive. Instead of flashing banners or sponsored posts, ChatGPT ads will probably blend naturally into the flow of conversation.
Here’s what that could mean.
Native Conversational Placements
ChatGPT ads will most likely appear as sponsored responses that match the tone and context of the chat. For example, if someone asks about best mobile app intelligence platforms, ChatGPT might respond with a helpful overview followed by a clearly labeled sponsored suggestion.
Think of it like Google’s text ads, but woven into an interactive discussion. The user gets value from the answer while still seeing a relevant brand or offer.
For advertisers, this means your message will compete on usefulness, not just targeting. The more your ad feels like genuine help, the better it will perform.
Shoppable and Action-Based Ads
Another likely direction is shoppable ads that let users take action without leaving ChatGPT. These could include product recommendations, service bookings, or direct checkout links integrated into the chat.
OpenAI has already introduced shopping features that display items and comparisons inside conversations. While they are not monetized yet, they show how commercial intent can live naturally inside a chat experience.
Imagine asking about a product and seeing sponsored listings that you can click to buy instantly. That kind of in-chat conversion could redefine e-commerce advertising.
Branded Knowledge Integrations
Beyond direct promotions, brands might soon provide structured data or verified answers that ChatGPT can use in responses. These could include company descriptions, FAQs, or service details, all clearly labeled as brand-provided.
This approach would blur the line between content and advertising.
For example, a travel company could supply official destination guides that appear when users ask for trip ideas. The value for the user is high, and the brand gains visibility through credibility.
Why This Matters for Marketers
If ChatGPT advertising works this way, the focus will shift from pushing offers to building trust in context. Brands that provide genuinely useful, accurate, and timely information will have the advantage.
Targeting, Bidding, and Pricing Possibilities
When ads eventually come to ChatGPT, targeting will look very different from what we know in search or social media. Because the platform focuses on privacy and helpfulness, advertisers will likely need to adapt to new rules and new kinds of data.
Let’s break down what that might look like.
Context Will Replace Personal Data
ChatGPT does not rely on third-party tracking or user profiling. Instead, it understands context.
That means targeting will likely come from what users are asking about in real time rather than their browsing history or demographics.
For example, if someone is asking how to start a small business, ChatGPT could identify intent signals around entrepreneurship, productivity tools, or marketing services. Those topics could trigger relevant sponsored suggestions without revealing any personal information.
This kind of contextual targeting will help brands reach people based on immediate needs rather than long-term behavior patterns. It’s privacy-safe and intent-rich at the same time.
Data From Conversations Will Shape Audience Segments
Over time, OpenAI may allow advertisers to target by conversation themes or session intent categories. For instance, a user asking about “home improvement loans” might fall into a “financial planning” or “homeownership” category that brands can bid on.
Given that ChatGPT processes around 2.5 billion prompts every day (AllAboutAI, 2025), the scale of contextual data available is enormous. Advertisers could discover new micro-intents that traditional search engines have never captured.
How Bidding Might Work
ChatGPT advertising will likely use an auction system similar to Google Ads. Advertisers might compete based on bid amount, ad relevance, and response quality.
However, the weighting will probably favor quality more heavily.
Since ChatGPT aims to provide accurate and helpful information, ads that improve the user experience will likely be ranked higher than those that simply pay more.
This means creative and content quality will matter as much as budget. The best-performing ads will sound natural, fit the context, and genuinely answer user questions.
Pricing Expectations
It is too early to know what ChatGPT ads will cost, but we can make an educated guess. If the format behaves like high-intent search ads, CPCs could range between $2 and $5 for B2C verticals and higher for specialized B2B keywords.
The pricing model could also evolve into pay-per-engagement or pay-per-qualified-conversation, where advertisers pay only when users interact with the chat or click through.
Because every chat session is personal and contextual, the ad inventory will likely be smaller but more valuable.
Marketers should expect to pay a premium for relevance rather than reach.
What This Means for Marketers
The takeaway is clear. ChatGPT advertising will not reward those who chase clicks. It will reward brands that provide the most useful, relevant, and context-aware content.
If you want to prepare, start thinking beyond audience demographics and focus on intent signals. Ask yourself what kinds of conversations your brand should appear in and what helpful advice you could offer there.
Measuring Performance in a Chat Environment
When ChatGPT ads arrive, measuring performance will require a different mindset. Traditional metrics like impressions or click-through rate will not tell the full story. In a conversational setting, what matters most is quality of interaction and value created during the chat.
Redefining What Counts as Success
Instead of tracking clicks, marketers will likely measure how often their ad leads to a meaningful outcome inside the chat. That could mean a product inquiry, a booking, or a user asking to learn more about a service.
These are called assisted actions because the conversion happens as part of a guided conversation rather than a direct click. In this model, the chat itself becomes part of the funnel.
Measuring Deeper Engagement
ChatGPT users are more engaged than traditional search users.
On average, they click 1.4 external links per visit, compared to 0.6 on Google. They also spend longer within each session, often asking multiple follow-up questions before acting.
For advertisers, this means success will not just come from visibility. It will come from sustained attention. The more your brand can hold a user’s interest through helpful and consistent information, the stronger your long-term performance will be.
Using Server-Side Tracking and Incremental Tests
Marketers will likely depend on server-side event tracking to understand performance. This means recording actions directly on your website or app after a user comes from ChatGPT, instead of relying on cookies or pixels.
You can also use incrementality tests or geo-based experiments to measure the lift from conversational ads. For example, run a campaign in one region and hold another region as a control to see if engagement or conversions improve.
This approach helps you prove whether ChatGPT ads actually drive business results, rather than just clicks.
Productivity and Workflow Metrics for B2B
For B2B advertisers, success might not always mean a sale. In many cases, ChatGPT will influence how people work and make decisions.
Studies show that using ChatGPT saves employees 47 minutes per week on average (TMetric, 2025). If your product or service helps users work smarter, you can measure success by tracking adoption, usage, or workflow improvements tied to ChatGPT-driven interactions.
Building Your Measurement Framework Now
Even though ChatGPT ads are not live yet, marketers can prepare early. Set up event tracking, CRM integrations, and custom attribution logic now. This way, once the ad platform launches, you’ll already have the systems in place to measure what matters most.
Brand Safety and Ethical Boundaries
Before marketers can advertise through ChatGPT, there’s one major question to answer: how do we keep ads safe, transparent, and trustworthy?
Unlike social media or display platforms, ChatGPT is built on user trust. People rely on it for advice, learning, and problem-solving. If advertising ever feels deceptive or biased, that trust could disappear fast.
That is why brand safety and ethics will be at the center of ChatGPT advertising.
Transparency Will Be Non-Negotiable
Every ad inside ChatGPT will need to be clearly labeled. Users should always know when a recommendation is sponsored and when it comes from an organic response.
This is essential not only for compliance but also for credibility. If users start questioning whether answers are paid for, they will lose confidence in the entire platform.
For advertisers, transparency is not just a legal safeguard. It is a way to show integrity and build long-term trust with users who are looking for reliable information.
Data Privacy and Consent
ChatGPT will likely maintain strict privacy rules. Because it already avoids personal tracking, advertisers will need to rely on contextual targeting rather than individual profiles.
That means no third-party cookies, no personal data sharing, and no hidden tracking. All ad targeting will need to follow clear user consent and data protection standards.
This could actually be an advantage. Privacy-safe targeting builds confidence, especially in regions where consumers are becoming more cautious about data use.
Protecting Brand Reputation
AI-generated responses carry risk. If an ad is inserted into a conversation that later produces a false or biased answer, the advertiser could be blamed.
To avoid that, OpenAI will need to enforce strict moderation and brand-safety filters. Advertisers will also need to review where and how their ads appear.
For example, a healthcare brand will want to ensure its sponsored content only shows in verified medical contexts, not in casual or speculative chats.
Setting the Right Ethical Standard
Marketers will play a key role in shaping how ChatGPT ads evolve. This is a chance to create a new kind of advertising that values helpfulness, honesty, and context.
Instead of interrupting users, brands can contribute to conversations in a way that adds value. That shift could redefine what ethical advertising looks like in the age of AI.
How Businesses Can Prepare Now
ChatGPT ads are not live yet, but that doesn’t mean you should wait. Marketers who prepare early will be ready to test, learn, and scale faster than everyone else once the platform opens up.
Here’s what you can do right now to get ahead.
1. Optimize for Answer Engine Visibility
Even without ads, ChatGPT already recommends brands and products through its regular responses. To increase your chances of being mentioned, focus on answer engine optimization (AEO).
That means creating content that is factual, clear, and well-structured. Use schema markup, FAQs, and concise summaries on your website so ChatGPT can easily interpret your information.
If you already invest in SEO, think of this as the next evolution. AEO helps your brand become part of the conversation organically before paid placements even exist.
2. Build Structured Product and Service Data
When ChatGPT introduces sponsored results, it will need reliable data sources to pull from. Start organizing your product information now.
Create clean and detailed feeds that include pricing, availability, reviews, and product descriptions. For service businesses, this could mean verified listings, contact details, or clear service categories.
The better your data, the easier it will be for ChatGPT to use it accurately in future ad formats or shopping experiences.
3. Develop Conversational Ad Copy
Traditional ad copy won’t work in a chat setting. Instead of punchy taglines, you’ll need natural-sounding responses that fit the tone of a helpful assistant.
Start experimenting with conversational writing. Test short Q&A formats, helpful explanations, and brand messages that sound like real advice.
This will give your team a head start when it’s time to create sponsored responses that feel authentic, not robotic.
4. Strengthen Your Tracking and Attribution
When ChatGPT ads go live, traditional analytics tools may not capture the full picture. Prepare now by setting up server-side tracking and custom attribution models.
Connect your CRM and analytics platforms so you can see how conversations translate into conversions or sales. Create systems that can track multi-touch interactions and measure incremental impact rather than just clicks.
5. Train Teams on AI Prompting and Conversational Design
Success with ChatGPT will depend on how well marketers understand prompt dynamics and user interaction flows. Start training your content and ad teams to think conversationally.
Host workshops on prompt writing, tone of voice, and user journey design inside chat interfaces. This skill will soon be as important as SEO or paid media expertise.
6. Stay Flexible and Test Early
When ChatGPT ads launch, early formats will likely evolve quickly. The best approach is to test small, learn fast, and adapt.
Use early tests to understand what kind of creative tone performs best, how users interact with conversational placements, and what outcomes you can realistically measure.
ChatGPT Ads vs. Search and Social Advertising
When ChatGPT ads eventually roll out, they won’t just be another place to spend budget. They’ll introduce a new kind of interaction between brands and users – one built on conversation, not interruption. To understand how that might fit into your marketing mix, it helps to compare ChatGPT’s potential with what we already know from Google and Meta.
ChatGPT vs. Google: Search Intent vs. Conversation Intent
Google dominates global search with trillions of queries per year, while ChatGPT still handles a tiny fraction of that.
Estimates suggest ChatGPT’s “search-type” queries make up less than one percent of Google’s total.
That said, intent on ChatGPT looks different.
Google queries are short and transactional, while ChatGPT prompts are longer, more open-ended, and more exploratory. People ask it to compare products, generate ideas, or plan decisions.
This means ChatGPT captures intent earlier in the funnel – before the user knows exactly what to buy or which brand to choose. It’s a space where education, storytelling, and problem-solving ads could outperform traditional search ads that rely on keywords alone.
ChatGPT vs. Meta: Trust and Engagement
Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram specialize in personalized discovery. They reach billions of users through interest-based targeting, but the context is mostly entertainment and social interaction.
ChatGPT, by contrast, thrives on trust and focused attention. Users come with intent and curiosity, not distraction.
For advertisers, this could make ChatGPT a high-value attention channel. Instead of competing with memes or videos, your brand could appear as part of a thoughtful, one-on-one exchange.
ChatGPT vs. YouTube and TikTok: Depth Over Reach
Video platforms like Youtube and TikTok dominate top-of-funnel awareness through storytelling and emotion. ChatGPT won’t compete on scale or visuals, but it can win on depth and personalization.
Imagine combining the emotional impact of video with ChatGPT’s ability to follow up and explain. A user who watched a brand’s YouTube ad could then turn to ChatGPT to ask, “Is this product actually good?” and get a sponsored response that deepens trust instead of restarting the conversation elsewhere.
Why ChatGPT Complements, Not Replaces, Other Channels
Research from Semrush (2025) shows users often switch between ChatGPT and Google depending on context. People may start a question on ChatGPT, refine it on Google, and check social proof on Meta.
This means ChatGPT is not a competitor to existing ad channels.
It’s an addition – a new intent layer that fits between curiosity and action. Marketers who integrate it into their existing search and social strategies will get the best results.
What This Means for Advertisers
When ChatGPT ads launch, success won’t come from simply moving spend away from Google or Meta. It will come from rethinking how you meet users in conversation.
Use search for reach and conversion, social for awareness and storytelling, and ChatGPT for guidance, education, and high-trust interactions.
Together, these platforms can form a complete funnel that mirrors how people actually make decisions today.
The Road Ahead – What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
ChatGPT has already changed how people search. The next step is figuring out how to connect that behavior with monetization. While no official ad plans have been announced, the direction is becoming easier to predict.
Here’s what could happen over the next few years.
Scenario 1: Utility Ads with Light Sponsorship
The first version of ChatGPT advertising will probably be limited and transparent. Think of small, clearly labeled sponsored sections within relevant answers.
For example, if a user asks, “What are the top 5 casual mobile games?” ChatGPT could provide a helpful overview, then add a sponsored suggestion at the end:
“Here are a few top-rated options, including [Game], a paid partner.”
This format keeps the user experience intact while allowing brands to appear in trusted, high-intent conversations. It’s simple, low-risk, and aligns with OpenAI’s focus on maintaining credibility.
Scenario 2: A Full Ad Marketplace
Once the model proves successful, OpenAI may build a full advertising marketplace similar to Google Ads. Advertisers could bid for placements in specific topics, manage budgets, and upload creative variations.
Given the billions of daily prompts ChatGPT handles, even a small share of monetized interactions could turn into a multibillion-dollar business.
This setup would open powerful opportunities for performance marketers who already understand keyword intent and contextual relevance. The difference is that instead of targeting based on search queries, campaigns would focus on conversational themes and user goals.
Scenario 3: Commerce Integration Without Traditional Ads
Another possible path is a shift toward direct commerce partnerships rather than ad auctions. OpenAI could earn revenue by facilitating transactions, bookings, or subscriptions inside the chat.
Imagine asking ChatGPT to “book a hotel in Rome” or “find a flight under $400,” and completing the purchase without leaving the interface. In that model, advertisers would pay referral fees or revenue shares rather than bid for exposure.
This would make ChatGPT more like Amazon or Booking.com – a place where commercial activity happens naturally, guided by conversation.
What Marketers Should Focus on Now
No matter which scenario plays out, marketers should prepare around three core pillars:
- Useful content. Ads that answer real questions will win.
- Clean data. Structured, accurate product info will power visibility.
- Trust. Transparent, brand-safe communication will matter more than ever.
By focusing on these fundamentals, you’ll be ready for any version of ChatGPT advertising that emerges in 2026 or beyond.
Our Take at Udonis
At Udonis, we’ve seen every major shift in digital marketing, from the rise of Facebook Ads to the explosion of mobile user acquisition.
ChatGPT feels like the next big one.
Right now, it’s not about jumping into ads that don’t exist yet. It’s about getting your brand ready for when conversational advertising becomes part of every marketing mix.
ChatGPT’s audience is massive, with billions of monthly interactions and deep engagement that most platforms can’t match. It combines the intent of search, the personalization of social, and the trust of direct communication. That’s why we believe this technology will change how brands connect with users in the years ahead.
Our team helps businesses prepare for that future. We focus on high-intent user acquisition, performance testing, and creative strategies that are built to adapt quickly. Whether it’s optimizing data for answer engines, designing conversational ad flows, or measuring incremental impact, we help brands turn innovation into measurable growth.
ChatGPT advertising isn’t here yet, but it’s coming. The question for marketers is not if it will matter – it’s how ready you’ll be when it does.
Conclusion
ChatGPT is more than a passing trend. It’s quickly becoming a core part of how people search, learn, and make decisions online. With hundreds of millions of active users and billions of prompts processed each day, it’s only a matter of time before advertising becomes part of that experience.
For marketers, this isn’t a moment to wait and see. It’s a chance to prepare, experiment, and lead. The businesses that start aligning their content, data, and measurement frameworks now will be the first to benefit when ChatGPT advertising officially arrives.
Whether you’re a brand, agency, or performance marketer, the playbook is the same: stay informed, focus on usefulness, and treat every interaction as an opportunity to build trust.
The future of advertising won’t be about shouting the loudest. It will be about being the most helpful voice in the conversation – and ChatGPT is where that conversation has already begun.
Data Sources
- The Verge, 2025. The head of ChatGPT won’t rule out adding ads
- Reuters, 2025. OpenAI rolls out new shopping features with ChatGPT search update
- Semrush, 2025. ChatGPT Is Not Replacing Google – It’s Expanding Search [Study]
- TMetric, 2025. How ChatGPT Saves 47 Minutes a Week per Employee
- FirstPageSage, 2025. Google vs ChatGPT Market Share: 2025 Report
- AllAboutAI, 2025. ChatGPT with Ads: ‘Free-User Monetization’ in 2026
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