# OpenAI to show ads while ChatGPT creates images

> US users will see labeled product ads below generated images as part of a test launching in October 2026.

Oossa · 2026-10-05 · https://oossa.com/en/openai-to-show-ads-while-chatgpt-creates-images

OpenAI will start a test in the United States later this month that puts display ads on the screen where ChatGPT is generating an image. The ads sit under the image, either as a scrolling carousel or a single row of product pictures. They are clearly marked as advertising and are kept separate from the AI‑created picture.

## How the ad system works

Advertisers can send conversion data to OpenAI through services like Hightouch, Tealium and LiveRamp. Attribution partners such as AppsFlyer, Adjust and Branch are also supported. OpenAI is trialing geo‑based experiments with Haus, Measured and WorkMagic to measure real impact. For brand safety, pilot programs with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science will scan the ad environment without looking at user conversations. Advertisers may add negative keywords to prevent ads from appearing in unsuitable chats.

## The facts

- OpenAI has been running ads in ChatGPT since February 2026.
- Ads are now shown in more than 40 countries.
- OpenAI reports an annualized ad revenue run rate of $1 billion.
- The company targets $100 billion in ad revenue by 2030.
- ChatGPT reaches about 1.2 billion people each week.

## Why it matters

US users will see product ads while waiting for an image, turning idle time into a commercial slot. For advertisers, the new placement gives direct exposure to a large, engaged audience. It is still a test, so the exact impact on user experience and ad effectiveness is not yet known.

## Sources & references

1. [ChatGPT's new ad format fills the image generation loading screen with product carousels](https://the-decoder.com/chatgpts-new-ad-format-fills-the-image-generation-loading-screen-with-product-carousels/) – The Decoder, 2026-10-05
2. [OpenAI launches visual ads that appear alongside image generation results](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/05/openai-launches-visual-ads-that-appear-alongside-image-generation-results/) – TechCrunch, 2026-10-05
3. [OpenAI is sticking more ads in ChatGPT](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1004655/openai-chatgpt-visual-ads) – The Verge, 2026-10-05

Last updated: 2026-10-05