OpenAI Tests ChatGPT Ads, Targets $25B Revenue by 2029
OpenAI targets $25B ad revenue by 2029 as ChatGPT ads roll out to 800M users. Asia expansion accelerates with Go tier in 16 markets, Q1 2026 ad beta.
OpenAI announced it will begin testing advertisements in ChatGPT for US users, marking a major shift from its subscription-only model as the company targets $25 billion in ad revenue by 2029 from its 800 million weekly active users globally.
Ad Rollout Prioritizes Free Users, Expands to Asia
The ads will initially appear at the bottom of ChatGPT responses when relevant sponsored products or services align with conversations, targeting users on the free tier and the new ChatGPT Go plan. Premium subscribers on Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers will remain ad-free.
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OpenAI expanded ChatGPT Go to 16 Asian markets including Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Pakistan, and Thailand at localized pricing points. The service costs ₫132,000 per month (US$5) in Vietnam, ฿259 per month (US$7) in Thailand, and S$13 per month (~US$10) in Singapore. Paid subscriptions doubled in India and Indonesia following the Go tier launch.
The company paused ad development in December 2025 to prioritize product improvements, delaying Asia ad access until Q1 2026. Beta testing will focus on travel, retail, and technology verticals. ChatGPT Search ads will target commercial queries like "best laptops under $1000" with carousels and sponsored content while keeping advertisements separate from AI-generated responses.
Southeast Asia Shows Explosive Adoption Rates
Southeast Asian markets demonstrated rapid ChatGPT adoption, creating high-potential audiences for future advertising. Malaysia leads regional engagement with nearly 40% of internet users as monthly active ChatGPT users, outperforming neighboring markets. Vietnam's weekly active users tripled over 12 months, while Thailand's ChatGPT adoption grew four times during the same period.
The company is also testing group chat features in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand, signaling focus on collaborative AI use cases in Asia. OpenAI emphasized in its privacy policy that "we never sell your data to advertisers" and will block ads for users under 18 while preventing advertisements related to sensitive topics like health and politics.
Early advertisers may benefit from beta-phase cost discounts and algorithm co-development opportunities in 2026. The platform's AI commerce integrations with Shopify, Walmart, and Target in the US hint at potential future Southeast Asian e-commerce partnerships.
Financial Pressures Drive Monetization Strategy
The advertising move underscores OpenAI's financial challenges as the money-losing startup plans to invest over $1 trillion in AI infrastructure by 2030. The company stated internally that "ads must feel seamless and relevant without disrupting conversations" as it balances monetization with user experience.
Industry analysts warn the advertising model could alienate some users and damage trust. Emarketer analyst Jeremy Goldman noted that users could easily migrate to competitors like Google's Gemini or Anthropic's Claude if ads feel intrusive. However, the decision may also pressure rivals to clarify their own monetization strategies, particularly those marketing themselves as ad-free alternatives.
The $1.4 trillion infrastructure commitment drives urgency for OpenAI to establish sustainable revenue streams beyond subscriptions. Regional compliance challenges loom, particularly with Thailand's PDPA and Singapore's data protection laws requiring strict ad targeting controls. Asian marketing communications professionals now face strategic decisions about early-mover positioning on a platform that combines conversational AI environments with commercial query targeting, creating a channel distinct from traditional search and social advertising.
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