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I Asked ChatGPT 500 Questions. Here Are the Ads I Saw Most Often

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Mar 29, 2026
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I Asked ChatGPT 500 Questions. Here Are the Ads I Saw Most Often
OpenAI has started displaying ads in the free ChatGPT app in the US. After asking 500 prompts, Reece Rogers found ads appeared frequently and were often linked to the topic of each question. This new approach aims to keep ChatGPT accessible, but raises concerns about privacy and trust. The company is rolling out these ads gradually and monitoring user reactions before further expansion.

I Asked ChatGPT 500 Questions. Here Are the Ads I Saw Most Often

OpenAI has begun integrating advertisements into the free tier of ChatGPT for users in the United States. To see how these changes impact the user experience, Reece Rogers posed 500 questions to the chatbot, focusing on typical use-cases like information gathering and practical advice.

How Frequently Do Ads Appear?

In Rogers' tests, around 20% of prompts in a new chat session resulted in an ad appearing beneath ChatGPT's response. These ads feature prominent web links tailored to the subject of the user's query. The variety of ads covers everything from gig economy services and entertainment, to education programs and travel bookings.

Examples of Targeted Ads

  • Asking about the gig economy prompted an Uber ad.
  • Questions about TV shows led to ads for Hollywood newsletters.
  • Comparing top universities brought up MBA program promotions.
  • Travel-related queries commonly triggered hotel booking ads.

OpenAI's Ad Strategy and Concerns

OpenAI states that ads are being introduced slowly to preserve trust, involving only a limited number of partners and formats. The decision is described as a long-term plan to maintain broad access to ChatGPT, not a short-term revenue grab or preparation for an IPO. However, the company acknowledges the risk: overloading users could push them toward competitors like Google Gemini or Anthropic Claude, which do not currently display ads in outputs.

Critics note that ads tailored to past chats and brands in user prompts raise questions about privacy and the sense of a personal, trusted space. While advertisers can't access users' conversations, the presence of ads may make the experience feel less private for some.

Industry Views and Market Implications

Experts predict that as ad spending shifts from traditional search to generative AI platforms, ChatGPT's monetization could unlock a massive market. However, OpenAI must balance this opportunity with preserving the user experience. Aggressive ad integration risks alienating users and eroding trust.

What's Next?

Following positive user feedback in initial US testing, OpenAI plans to expand the ad rollout to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The company is refining ad relevance and closely monitoring metrics related to consumer trust before broader adoption.

For more details and specific examples, you can read the original article by Reece Rogers on WIRED.

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