OpenAI May Soon Add Ads to ChatGPT, Code Leak Suggests
Key Points
- Beta ChatGPT Android app contains code references to advertising features.
- Terms such as "ads feature," "search ad," and "bazaar content" appear in the code.
- Discovery posted on X by Tibor Blaho, indicating potential upcoming ad integration.
- Earlier reports and CEO Sam Altman's comments suggest OpenAI is exploring ads as a revenue model.
- No official announcement has been made; details about ad placement remain unknown.
A beta build of the ChatGPT Android app was found to contain code references to advertising features, hinting that OpenAI could introduce ads to its free tier. The discovery, posted by Tibor Blaho on X, aligns with earlier reporting that the company has been exploring ads as a revenue option, a notion previously discussed by CEO Sam Altman. While no official announcement has been made, the code hints at possible integration of ad‑related components such as "ads feature" and "search ad" in future releases.
Code Discovery Raises Possibility of Ads in ChatGPT
A beta version of the ChatGPT Android application was examined and found to contain multiple references to advertising functionality. The code mentions terms like "ads feature," "search ad," and "bazaar content," suggesting that OpenAI is preparing to embed ad‑related elements within the app.
The finding was shared on X by Tibor Blaho, who highlighted that the specific beta build includes these references. Although the build is not publicly available, the presence of such code indicates that OpenAI may be moving toward an ad‑supported model, particularly for users on the free tier.
This development echoes earlier coverage from The Information, which reported that the company had been considering ad integration based on user memory or chat content. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has previously spoken about ads as a potential revenue source, describing them as a "last resort" but not ruling them out entirely. He has hinted that while the idea is unsettling, it remains on the table as the firm looks for sustainable business models.
Despite these signals, OpenAI has not confirmed any definitive plan to launch ads. The code discovery provides the most concrete indication yet that the company is actively preparing for this possibility, though details about where ads might appear or how they would function remain undisclosed.