Did you know What’s Behind OpenAI’s Sudden Shift Toward Ads in ChatGPT? Is It All About Revenue?
The thought of adding ads to a service adored and used by millions might
seem like the best option, right? However, the company we’re talking
about is OpenAI, whose CEO has always been in favor of free services so
mankind can benefit.
It seems like Sam Altman has clearly had a change of heart regarding the decision, as new internal OpenAI documents hinted at the arrival of ChatGPT ads, coming as early as next year.
The
company is already doing a great job in terms of generating revenue,
but it wouldn’t hurt to add more billions by making the most of the free
user monetization effect, right?
The figures forecasted show that the firm could grow to nearly $25
billion in the next four years, out of their total $125B projection with
this initiative. A new projection chart was shared on X, showing rising
revenues that entail new products like free user monetization. So this
means ads are coming soon.
It sounds very interesting because
let’s face it, ChatGPT already has nearly 600 million monthly users. The
fact that advertisers can reach out to ChatGPT users really presents a
great opportunity for success and reach, not to mention more revenue.
However, we have to admit that the shift won’t only be major, it’s a
massive change that won’t come too easily.
The
matter appears like a complete u-turn from previous statements made by
the company’s executives. In December, OpenAI’s CFO mentioned how the
current business is witnessing so much growth, and they’re seeing a lot
of great chances inside the current business model. However, they always
left the window open for exploring different revenue streams. During
that moment, they said no active plans were in place for ads.
We also saw the AI giant’s CEO mention during his 2024 podcast interview how he hates ads.
He felt that if the company could cover the costs linked to computation
without the need for using ads, then there’s nothing like it.
He
shared more thoughts on how the aesthetics of ads don’t appeal to him,
and it’s just a personal call. But he does realize that the internet
needed ads to keep things flowing in the right direction, but today,
it’s a new ballgame. The industry is richer right now, and he hoped
people would rely less on that model.
Altman touted his business
model as a simple but great one. The same cannot be said about other
ad-supported goods and services, he continued, taking Google, Twitter,
and Facebook. This, coupled with AI, just makes things worse, he
continued during the podcast.
Altman hoped that the ad world
would take a leap and wouldn’t interfere with the idea of taking in
content, as it doesn’t interfere in a massive, fundamental manner. This
includes manipulating reality so it better suits the advertisers in
charge.
If you’re not paying for ChatGPT, soon you could be the product.
— Juan González Villa (@seostrategaEN) April 24, 2025
OpenAI’s own revenue projections show “free-user monetization” → Ads in ChatGPT before a year from now? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/1jZcdt8REO