OpenAI Explores Advertising in ChatGPT Amid Revenue Push

OpenAI is actively considering introducing advertisements to its flagship ChatGPT platform as part of broader monetization efforts, according to recent statements from company executives. Nick Turley, head of ChatGPT product development, revealed in an interview with The Verge that while advertising remains a possibility, any implementation would require careful consideration to maintain product quality.

Balancing Monetization and User Experience

Turley emphasized that potential advertisements would need to be "very careful and tasteful" to avoid disrupting the user experience. "ChatGPT may not be suitable for advertisements because it needs to closely serve user goals," Turley noted, while leaving open the possibility of ad-supported models for other OpenAI products.

The executive highlighted the company's multi-pronged approach to revenue generation: "The subscription model still has great potential for growth and there are many opportunities yet to be explored." This comes as OpenAI's subscription revenue is projected to triple from $370 million in 2024 to $1.27 billion this year.

Financial Context and User Growth

Despite strong revenue growth, OpenAI continues to operate at a loss and isn't expected to achieve positive cash flow until 2029, according to internal projections. The platform has seen explosive adoption, surpassing 700 million total users with approximately 20 million paid subscribers.

Turley views the large free user base as strategic rather than problematic: "The large free user base is not a burden, but an important opportunity for differentiated paid products."

Leadership's Cautious Stance on Advertising

CEO Sam Altman has expressed mixed feelings about combining AI services with advertising. During a 2024 Harvard Business School discussion, Altman called ads a "last resort" that made him "uncomfortable." However, by June 2025 his position had softened slightly, stating in a podcast that he was "not entirely against" the concept.

The potential move reflects broader industry trends as AI companies seek sustainable business models. Competitors like Google and Meta have successfully integrated ads into their AI offerings without significant user backlash.

Key Points:

• OpenAI considering ads for ChatGPT but prioritizing user experience
• Subscription revenue projected at $1.27 billion for 2025 (3x growth)
• Platform reaches 700M users (20M paid), positive cash flow expected by 2029
• Leadership maintains cautious approach toward advertising integration
• Potential for different monetization models across product lines