The advertising presence in the tech world seems inevitable.
On Thursday, OpenAI announced its decision to introduce advertisements on its free and lower-tier Go versions of ChatGPT in India. This announcement follows recent updates to its terms of service, which now include provisions for displaying ads to users while they interact with the AI tool.
Earlier this year, OpenAI revealed that it boasts over 100 million active ChatGPT users each week in India, with a significant number utilizing the free and lower-tier options.
The company plans to kick off its advertising initiative by featuring promotions from 50 different brands, collaborating with advertising agencies such as WPP and Omnicom. Additionally, OpenAI intends to unveil an ad management tool next month that enables advertisers to create campaigns, requiring a minimum daily expenditure of ₹725 ($7.60).
“With ChatGPT Ads, companies of all sizes can engage their audience at relevant moments when decisions are being formed,” stated Dave Dugan, OpenAI’s head of global ads solutions.
OpenAI has made significant efforts to grow its user base in India, introducing a ChatGPT Go plan for under $5 in August 2025 and even running a promotional campaign that allowed users to access that plan at no cost for an entire year. The company also promoted its offerings during major sporting events, including the Women’s Premier League and the Indian Premier League. Recently, it appointed the head of Uber India to spearhead its growth strategies in the region.
The introduction of ads began with U.S. users in February and was extended to European users earlier this month.
As OpenAI prepares for a potential initial public offering, anticipated either this year or next, it is working diligently to enhance its revenue streams. Reports indicate that the AI company generated $6.7 billion in revenue during the second quarter ending in June 2026, an increase from $5.7 billion in the preceding quarter.
Last November, reports suggested that OpenAI aims to attract 220 million paying subscribers by 2030, with approximately 35 million users currently subscribed to its Plus and Pro plans.
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