OpenAI to show ads on ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers in India

OpenAI announced it will begin showing ads to users of ChatGPT’s free and Go tiers in India this week. The company updated its terms of service earlier in August 2026 to allow for ads during ChatGPT sessions.

The initial ad rollout includes campaigns for 50 brands, with OpenAI partnering with global agencies WPP and Omnicom to manage the effort. Marketers will gain access to an ad manager next month, enabling them to create campaigns with a minimum daily budget of ₹725 ($7.60).

OpenAI highlighted its focus on the Indian market, where it reports more than 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users. A significant portion of these users are on the free tier or the lower-priced Go plan, which launched in August 2025 at a sub-$5 price point.

The company has actively expanded its presence in India, including a year-long promotional period that made the Go tier free. OpenAI also invested in marketing during major sports events such as the Women’s Premier League and the Indian Premier League cricket tournaments.

This marks the latest expansion of OpenAI’s ad program, which began with U.S. users in February 2026 and was extended to Europe earlier in August 2026. The broader monetization effort coincides with reports of OpenAI’s revenue reaching $6.7 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up from $5.7 billion the prior quarter.