Market2026-08-31

OpenAI said its advertising business reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate. The business is roughly 200 days old. OpenAI began testing ads inside ChatGPT in the United States in February. Ads now run in more than 40 countries. Self-service buying opened on Monday across India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Ads appear for free users and Go subscribers, not higher paid tiers. OpenAI said ads are labelled and do not change ChatGPT's answers. It also said advertisers cannot see private conversations. The company plans more markets, ad formats, buying options and measurement tools. OpenAI is preparing for an initial public offering and cites a diversified business model.

What changed

OpenAI began testing ads in ChatGPT in the US in February, with no self-service buying outside limited markets.

What it unlocks

Advertisers in India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa can buy ChatGPT ads themselves.

  • $1B annualized ad revenue run rate
  • ads live in 40+ countries
  • 1 billion weekly active users
  • $852 billion valuation

What you need to act on it

  • an advertiser account in a supported market

Sources

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