ChatGPT Ads managementReach customers while they ask ChatGPT for help
ChatGPT now shows ads below relevant answers. I set up ChatGPT Ads (also called OpenAI Ads) for you from scratch in ChatGPT Ads Manager: the account in your name, conversion tracking, the ads, the launch and weekly optimization. It's available as an add-on to Google Ads or Microsoft Ads management from $350 a month, or on its own with a fixed quote after the free initial audit.
What ChatGPT Ads are and how they work
ChatGPT Ads are OpenAI's advertising platform. When someone asks ChatGPT about a problem, a product or a service, an ad can appear below the answer, clearly marked as sponsored and kept separate from the answer itself. Advertisers can't change what ChatGPT says.
OpenAI started testing ads in the US in early 2026 and opened its self-serve Ads Manager to businesses in May 2026. Ads are matched to the topic and intent of the conversation instead of exact keywords, and you pay per 1,000 impressions or per click.
The example shows how it works: someone asks ChatGPT who can fix their AC today, ChatGPT answers, and a local company's ad appears right below the answer. A click leads to the company's website, where the call or booking is tracked.
Illustration. The actual ad layout in ChatGPT may differ.
Who sees the ads, and what advertisers can see
- Who sees ads: adults using ChatGPT on the Free and Go plans. OpenAI does not show ads on Plus, Pro or business plans, or to users under 18.
- Where they appear: below a relevant answer, with the advertiser's name, icon, headline, description, image and link.
- How ads are matched: by the context of the conversation. In Ads Manager you describe the conversations you want to show up in, and OpenAI matches ads based on that, your landing page and your ad copy.
- Sensitive topics: ads are kept away from sensitive conversations and brand-unsafe contexts under OpenAI's ad policies.
- Privacy: advertisers never see people's conversations. You get aggregated reporting: impressions, clicks, spend, click-through rate, cost per click and conversions.
- Cost: an auction, like Google Ads. For click campaigns OpenAI suggests starting with a maximum bid of $3–5 per click; the right number depends on your market.
Based on OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads help center and ads.openai.com, checked October 31, 2026. The platform is in beta and changes often; I keep this page current.
ChatGPT Ads vs. Google Ads
They work best together: Google catches people who already know what to search for, ChatGPT reaches them earlier, while they're still asking for advice.
| ChatGPT Ads | Google Ads | |
|---|---|---|
| Where ads show | Below relevant ChatGPT answers | Google Search, Maps, Shopping, YouTube and partner sites |
| How ads are matched | Conversation context and intent | Keywords, audiences and signals from your conversions |
| Billing | CPM or CPC, auction | Mostly CPC, auction with Smart Bidding |
| Conversion tracking | OpenAI pixel and Conversions API | Google tag, GA4, call tracking, offline imports |
| Competition today | Low: few businesses advertise yet | High in most local markets |
| Best for | Questions, comparisons and recommendations | People ready to call or buy now |
ChatGPT Ads, set up and run from scratch
The same tracking-first approach I use on Google and Microsoft, so ChatGPT is judged by the leads and sales it brings.
Account setup
Your ChatGPT Ads account is created in your name, with your card paying OpenAI directly. You own it from day one.
Pixel and Conversions API
Forms, calls from the website, bookings and purchases tracked with OpenAI's pixel and Conversions API, plus UTM tags so GA4 sees ChatGPT as its own source.
Campaign strategy
Which questions your customers ask, which services to promote, locations, budgets and bidding, planned around your goals.
Ad copy and images
Ads and images written for how people ask ChatGPT, separate from your Google Ads, and landing pages checked before launch.
Weekly optimization
Context, bids, budgets and ads adjusted every week based on tracked leads and sales.
Clear reports
Leads, cost per lead and sales from ChatGPT, side by side with your other channels, so you see what each one really brings in.
From first message to live ChatGPT ads
Four steps, the same for every client, so you always know what comes next.
Free initial audit
I check your website, tracking tags and current ads without any access and tell you honestly whether ChatGPT Ads make sense for your business.
Account & tracking
Ads Manager account in your name, pixel and Conversions API set up and tested with real conversions.
Campaign launch
Ads, images and targeting written for how people ask ChatGPT. You approve everything before it goes live.
Optimize & report
Weekly tuning and clear reports with leads, cost per lead and sales.
How much ChatGPT Ads management costs
ChatGPT Ads management is an add-on from $350 a month to Google Ads or Microsoft Ads management. You can also run ChatGPT Ads on their own, with a fixed quote after the free initial audit.
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Ads add-on | +$350/mo | Added to Google Ads (from $900/mo) or Microsoft Ads management |
| ChatGPT Ads on its own | Fixed quote | After the free initial audit |
| Setup | Included | Account, tracking, ads and launch. No separate setup fee |
Ad spend is separate and paid directly to OpenAI from your own card. I never mark up or handle your ad budget.
Who should try ChatGPT Ads now
ChatGPT Ads are new. They fit some businesses well today and others better later.
A good fit
- Services people ask ChatGPT to recommend or compare: home services, repairs, local professionals
- Online stores with products people research before they buy
- Businesses already running Google Ads with tracking that works, ready for a new channel
- Owners who want to be early, while few competitors advertise there
Probably not yet
- Health, finance, politics and other topics OpenAI keeps ads away from
- Businesses whose website can't track a lead yet. Fix tracking first
ChatGPT Ads questions
Something else? Send me a message and I'll reply within one business day.
How do I advertise on ChatGPT?
Businesses advertise on ChatGPT through OpenAI's self-serve Ads Manager at ads.openai.com. You create an ad account, set up conversion tracking, create a campaign with a budget and goal, and add ads with a headline, description, image and link. I handle all of it for you from scratch, in your name. For a full walkthrough, see my guide to advertising on ChatGPT.
What is ChatGPT Ads Manager?
ChatGPT Ads Manager is OpenAI's self-serve platform for advertising on ChatGPT, at ads.openai.com. OpenAI opened it to businesses in May 2026. It's where you create campaigns, set budgets and bids, upload ads and install the OpenAI pixel for conversion tracking. I set it up and run it for you, with the account in your name.
How much do ChatGPT Ads cost?
Ad costs are set in an auction, per 1,000 impressions or per click, and there's no fixed price list. For click campaigns, OpenAI suggests starting with a maximum bid of $3–5 per click. My management is an add-on from $350 a month to Google Ads or Microsoft Ads management, or a fixed quote on its own. Ad spend is paid directly to OpenAI. More in how much ChatGPT ads cost.
Can a local business advertise on ChatGPT?
Yes. Ads can be targeted by country and region, and people ask ChatGPT about local services every day, like finding a plumber or comparing roofing quotes. Whether it pays off depends on your service and area, which is what the free initial audit checks.
Can advertisers see what people type into ChatGPT?
No. Advertisers never see conversations, chat history or personal details. Reporting is aggregated: impressions, clicks, spend and conversions. Ads also have no influence on ChatGPT's answers.
How do you track leads and sales from ChatGPT Ads?
With OpenAI's measurement pixel on your website and its Conversions API for server-side events, plus UTM tags so Google Analytics 4 shows ChatGPT as its own traffic source. Calls are tracked with a dedicated number where needed. That way ChatGPT is judged on the same leads and sales as your other ads.
Do I need Google Ads to run ChatGPT Ads?
No. ChatGPT Ads can run on their own, with a fixed quote after the free initial audit. Many businesses add them to Google Ads or Microsoft Ads management, where they're available as an add-on from $350 a month.
Are you an OpenAI partner?
No. I'm an independent consultant who sets up and manages ChatGPT Ads through OpenAI's public Ads Manager, the same way I manage Google Ads and Microsoft Ads for clients.
Works best with
Let's see what ads can do for your business
Already running ads? I'll start with a free check of what's visible from the outside: your website, tracking tags and live ads. A full review inside your accounts needs read-only access and is part of the Deep-Dive Audit. Just getting started? I'll look at your website and market and tell you where to begin. Either way, you get a short written summary and a fixed-price quote. No obligation.