OpenAI announces visual ads alongside ChatGPT image generation results

OpenAI's visual ads build on an advertising business already operating inside ChatGPT. According to The Register, the company added text-based ads earlier this year before announcing the new image-based format on October 5.

The new format will show images of sponsored products and services, The Verge reported. Image generation is the initial placement, rather than a confirmed limit on where visual ads might eventually appear.

On October 5, OpenAI announced the format in a blog post, according to Mashable. The announcement also included expanded measurement partnerships for advertisers.

The timing matters: The Verge reported that US testing would begin later in October. TechCrunch said OpenAI described the ads as appearing after image generation results, with availability limited to the US for now.

The coverage differs on precisely when users will see them. BleepingComputer described ads appearing while images are being generated, whereas TechCrunch placed them after the results appear. The supplied reporting does not resolve that difference.

Also on October 5, The Next Web reported that guardrails would assess whether a conversation was emotionally vulnerable or sensitive before an ad appeared. That makes the surrounding conversation part of the decision about whether advertising is appropriate.

On October 7, OpenAI announced a separate interface update. The Verge reported that its Intelligent UI would add interactive pictures, charts and buttons to responses and roll out to all users alongside GPT-6. That update concerns ChatGPT's answers, not the announced advertising test.

The clearest rollout detail is a US test scheduled for later in October, not a confirmed broad release of visual ads. October 7 coverage from DEV Community repeated that timetable and described the format as appearing next to image-generation outputs.

OpenAI is also giving advertisers more ways to measure performance. Inc.com reported new advertising options and tracking tools, while Mashable described expanded measurement partnerships. The supplied coverage does not provide results from the visual ad test.

The next concrete step is the US test later this month. It should clarify the placement described differently by BleepingComputer and TechCrunch: during generation or after the finished image appears.

Another open question is whether visual ads will remain confined to image generation. The Verge reported that they would appear there "initially", but the supplied coverage gives no timetable for additional placements or a wider geographic rollout.