OpenAI faced a storm of backlash this week due to ads in ChatGPT. The ChatGPT users spotted what looked like sneaky ads popping up in chats. Frustrated subscribers shared screenshots of prompts pushing brands like Target and Peloton, sparking fears that the beloved AI tool had sold out to commercial spam. But the company quickly stepped in, shutting down the feature and vowing to fix it. This drama highlights growing worries about ads in ChatGPT and how AI giants balance innovation with user trust.
The uproar began in early December 2025 when users on X and Reddit posted evidence of “app suggestions” that appeared to be advertisements. One viral screenshot showed ChatGPT recommending “Shop at Target” during a tech query about Windows BitLocker. Another user griped about endless Spotify plugs despite their Apple Music loyalty. Premium Plus and Pro plan holders, who pay $20–$200 monthly, felt especially betrayed. They expected an ad-free haven, not product pitches.
OpenAI’s leaders jumped into damage control mode. Chief Research Officer Mark Chen admitted the team “fell short” in a public X reply. He explained these weren’t true ads in ChatGPT but experimental suggestions to highlight integrated apps. Still, the poor timing and irrelevance turned users off. Chen promised quick changes, including better user controls.
Ads in ChatGPT: OpenAI’s Internal Shake-Up Delays Monetization Push
Behind the scenes, OpenAI grapples with bigger pressures. A leaked internal memo from CEO Sam Altman declared a “code red” alert, the company’s highest crisis level. Altman ordered teams to laser-focus on boosting ChatGPT’s core quality. This move shelves flashy revenue ideas, including potential ads in ChatGPT, AI shopping agents, and the Pulse personal assistant feature.
Key details from the code red memo:
- Prioritizes ChatGPT performance fixes over new launches
- Delays ad experiments and third-party integrations
- Follows a milder “code orange” phase for earlier tweaks
- Aims to fend off rivals like Google’s Gemini 3, which just topped benchmarks
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OpenAI VP and ChatGPT head Nick Turley doubled down on X: “No live tests for ads. Screenshots are either fake or not ads.” He stressed any future ads in ChatGPT would come with “thoughtful” design to honor user trust. The company earns billions from subscriptions and APIs, but with 800 million users and massive compute costs, monetization looms large.
This isn’t OpenAI’s first slip; earlier tests for app discovery flopped, too. As competition heats up, with GPT-5.2 rumoured for next week, OpenAI must tread carefully. Users demand transparency, not tricks. For now, the app suggestions stay off while engineers refine precision. Will ads in ChatGPT ever arrive? If they do, expect a user-first rollout, or more backlash.
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