OpenAI appears to be preparing for one of its most significant shifts yet: bringing advertisements directly into ChatGPT. According to findings highlighted by BleepingComputer, the company is testing ad-related features inside the latest beta version of its Android app, signalling a new phase in how artificial intelligence platforms may be monetized.
The development carries major implications for the future of digital advertising. Unlike traditional ad systems, which rely on browser activity or device-level tracking, ChatGPT interacts with users through natural conversation. It learns from prompts, preferences, tone, and context that go far deeper than standard analytics. Industry analysts warn that if ads are inserted into such exchanges, the result could be the most precise and personalized advertising in internet history.
The report first surfaced after software engineer Tibor Blaho inspected the code for ChatGPT Android app version 1.2025.329 beta. Inside, he discovered multiple references pointing toward an internal ad system. Phrases such as “ads feature,” “bazaar content,” “search ad,” and “search ads carousel” indicate active development of advertising modules. The presence of carousel elements suggests a design closer to app-based or marketplace-style ads rather than static banner placements.
If deployed, this would mark OpenAI’s first direct venture into in-app advertising. So far, the company has relied primarily on paid subscriptions for revenue, offering premium features under ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise tiers. Ads may become an additional stream — or even a replacement for current free-tier limitations — as competition intensifies across AI platforms.
Experts say the move also raises important questions. ChatGPT’s conversational nature allows it to understand user needs and emotional cues in ways that could make ad placement more effective but also more intrusive. Regulators may scrutinize how user data is used, especially if ads appear within personal or sensitive discussions.
For advertisers, however, the appeal is clear: AI-generated user intent offers unmatched clarity. A shopper asking for advice on a laptop, a skincare routine, or travel plans could see targeted offers instantly, without needing to click search results or scroll through a web page.
OpenAI has not publicly commented on the leak, nor confirmed whether ads will roll out broadly or remain limited to testing. Still, the presence of advertising code in the app indicates that the company is at least evaluating how commercial content might integrate into the ChatGPT experience.
As the AI landscape evolves, this development could redefine how digital ads reach consumers — shifting influence away from search engines and social platforms toward conversational AI systems that understand users more deeply than ever before.
