OpenAI has started showing ads to some ChatGPT users in India, one of the chatbot’s biggest markets.

The rollout covers free users and subscribers to its Go plan, which costs 399 rupees (US$4.2) a month, as the company tests a new revenue source ahead of a planned 2027 initial public offering.

OpenAI said the ad feature is also live in 38 countries and regions, including the US, Japan, South Korea, and 31 European countries.

The company said it will not show ads to users who say they are under 18 or who its systems predict are under 18.

The rollout comes as OpenAI weighs a potential future IPO. Ujjwal Chaudhry, a partner at UK-based market intelligence firm Analysys Mason, said ads are a practical way for OpenAI to monetise its larger consumer user base.

Rival Anthropic has said its Claude chatbot will remain ad-free.

🔗 Source: CNBC

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