OpenAI Reportedly Sets a $200,000 Minimum for ChatGPT Ad Beta

OpenAI is officially launching a beta ad program for ChatGPT, requiring an initial commitment of at least $200,000 from select advertisers as first reported exclusively by Adweek. The move marks a major step in the company's strategy to monetize its massive user base.

• Testing the waters: For now, OpenAI is keeping the beta small and controlled. A spokesperson called the move deliberate, as the company wants to figure out what kinds of ads work best for users before expanding its approach to advertising. While more ad formats are planned, the company is not sharing a specific roadmap yet.

• High bar to clear: That $200,000 figure appears to be just the floor. Adweek also reported that some brands were quoted an even higher price, noting that four clients of the search intelligence platform Adthena were approached with a $250,000 price tag.

• Reading the signal: By setting a high price of admission, OpenAI is signaling its intent to build a premium ad platform, filtering for serious, big-budget players from the start rather than opening the floodgates to everyone.

The high entry fee is just one part of the story; the initial terms reportedly include a steep $60 CPM with no targeting or measurement tools. This premium pricing strategy, which rivals coveted ad slots like the NFL, will only apply to users on the free and "Go" tiers, as paid subscribers will remain ad-free.