OpenAI expands ChatGPT ads to 26 additional countries, taking the total to 83 countries, and says the platform's advertiser base is 100K+, up from 20K in August

The cost to reach ChatGPT users falls this quarter, with ads now available in 89 countries.

OpenAI has expanded its ChatGPT advertising service to 26 additional countries, bringing the total number of countries where ads are shown to 89. The expansion includes nations such as Argentina, Peru, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ukraine, where free and Go subscribers will now see advertisements integrated within the ChatGPT platform. These ads are designed to be separate from the AI's responses and clearly labeled. OpenAI's advertising business has seen significant growth, reaching an annualized revenue run rate of $1 billion by August, up from $100 million in March. The platform now hosts over 100,000 advertisers, a substantial increase from 20,000 in August. The company plans to further develop new ad formats, measurement tools, and buying options, alongside exploring new methods for businesses to engage with ChatGPT users.

This expansion signals OpenAI's aggressive push to diversify its revenue streams beyond enterprise contracts and subscriptions, mirroring the ad-supported models of established tech giants like Google and Meta. The rapid growth of its advertiser base to over 100,000 within months of launching the ad product underscores the platform's perceived value for customer acquisition and engagement. OpenAI's focus on making ads useful and distinct from AI responses suggests an attempt to balance monetization with user experience, a critical factor for long-term platform health.

The move also intensifies the competitive landscape with rivals like Anthropic, which has positioned itself as an ad-free alternative. As both companies reportedly prepare for IPOs, OpenAI's demonstrated ability to generate significant ad revenue could influence investor perceptions of its market valuation and future growth potential. The continued development of new ad formats and interaction methods indicates a strategic intent to build a robust, integrated advertising ecosystem within ChatGPT, aiming to capture a significant share of the digital advertising market.