What’s Changing in ChatGPT?

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Advertising Is Being Introduced

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OpenAI will begin testing advertising within ChatGPT, starting with users on the free plan and the new ChatGPT Go tier. These ads will:

  • Appear after AI responses, not within them
  • Be clearly labelled as advertising
  • Be shown only when relevant to the conversation
  • Avoid sensitive topics such as health and politics

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Paid plans will remain ad free.

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A New Lower-Cost “Go” Plan

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ChatGPT Go is designed for users who want more flexibility than the free tier, without moving to higher-priced plans. This includes:

  • Higher usage limits
  • Faster models
  • Improved support for files and images

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This approach helps OpenAI keep AI accessible while supporting continued development.

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Privacy Remains a Priority

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OpenAI has made it clear that:

  • Conversations are not sold to advertisers
  • Ads are based on context rather than personal data
  • Users have control over ad personalisation

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Trust and transparency remain central as advertising is introduced.

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What this Means for Ecommerce Brands

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A New High-Intent Advertising Opportunity

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People already use ChatGPT to research products, compare features and explore options. Advertising in this environment creates opportunities to reach customers when they are actively considering a purchase.

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Changes to Product Discovery

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As conversational AI becomes part of the discovery process, visibility will rely less on keywords alone and more on:

  • Clear and accurate product information
  • Helpful, well-structured content
  • Context that aligns with customer questions

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A Step Towards Conversational Commerce

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While advertising is only the first step, this move hints at a future where AI helps guide customers from research through to purchase, potentially shortening the ecommerce journey.

The Bigger Picture

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These changes reflect OpenAI’s aim to make AI more accessible at scale, while opening up new opportunities for businesses to connect with customers earlier in the decision process.

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For ecommerce brands, this is not about changing strategy overnight, but about understanding how conversational AI could soon play a role in the customer journey.

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For further information, you can read more here.