Your customers are already using ChatGPT to research products, compare options, and decide what to buy. Now there's a way for your business to show up right in that moment. OpenAI has opened ChatGPT to advertisers, and getting started is easier than you might think.
Here's everything you need to know, in plain words.
Why this matters for your business
People don't just chat with ChatGPT for fun - they use it to make real decisions. Someone asking "what's the best laptop for video editing" or "where can I get affordable web hosting" is often close to buying. That's a valuable moment to be there with a relevant offer.
Until now, only a small group of advertisers could run ads on ChatGPT. That's changed. OpenAI has opened the doors wider, so businesses of any size - not just big brands - can now advertise.
How ads actually work on ChatGPT
Before we get into the "how to start" part, here's what you should know:
Ads appear below a ChatGPT response, not inside it. They're always labeled "Sponsored."
Ads never change or influence what ChatGPT tells the user. The chat model and the ad system are completely separate.
ChatGPT never shares a user's private conversation, name, or personal details with you as an advertiser. You only get combined performance numbers, like total views or clicks.
Ads won't be shown near sensitive topics, like personal health or political conversations.
This matters because it means your ad is trusted the same way search or social ads are - clearly separate from the content itself, but still shown at the right moment.
Two ways to get started
You have two simple paths, depending on how hands-on you want to be:
1. Work with a partner OpenAI is working with agencies like Dentsu, Omnicom, Publicis, and WPP, plus ad-tech partners like Adobe, Criteo, Kargo, Pacvue, and StackAdapt. If your business already works with a marketing agency, ask them if they can run ChatGPT ads for you.
2. Use the self-serve Ads Manager This is the beta tool built for businesses of any size, including small businesses and startups. You can sign up, add your payment details, set your budget, upload your ad, and launch a campaign - all yourself, without needing an agency. You can sign up at ads.openai.com.
How pricing works
You have two pricing options, and the terms are simpler than they sound:
CPM (cost-per-thousand-views): You pay based on how many times your ad is shown.
CPC (cost-per-click): You only pay when someone actually clicks your ad. This is the newer option, and it's useful if you care more about getting people to your site than just getting seen.
You choose the option that fits your goal - visibility, or direct action.
Tracking what actually works
Once your ad is running, you'll want to know if it's working. OpenAI now supports:
Conversions API and pixel tracking - these let you see what happens after someone clicks your ad, like a purchase, a sign-up, or a lead.
Performance reports - simple numbers like views and clicks, so you can judge what's working without ever seeing private user chats.
This means you get real feedback on your campaign, while user privacy stays fully protected.
Getting started: a simple checklist
If you're ready to try it, here's a practical starting point:
Sign up for an account at ads.openai.com.
Check if Ads Manager is available yet in your country. If not, you can still create an account and get notified when it opens up.
Decide on your budget and pick CPM or CPC pricing.
Prepare a clear, honest ad - one that matches what people are actually searching for.
Launch a small test campaign first, then check your results before scaling up.
The bottom line
ChatGPT is becoming a real place where people research, compare, and decide - and now it's a real place for your business to be found too. The self-serve Ads Manager makes it easy to start small and test the waters, without needing a big agency or a big budget. If your customers are already asking questions your business can answer, this is worth exploring.
