OpenAI’s advertising business reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate less than 200 days after launch. This adds a new source of income as the ChatGPT maker prepares for a possible public listing.
The company described advertising as one part of its ‘diversified business model,’ alongside consumer subscriptions, enterprise products and usage-based APIs. The milestone comes after OpenAI submitted a confidential draft S-1 registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission in June. However, the company has not decided when it will proceed with an IPO.
OpenAI said ChatGPT Ads reached the $1 billion annualized revenue run rate in less than 200 days. Tens of thousands of advertisers now use the platform as the company expands advertising beyond its early US pilot.
The company started testing ads in ChatGPT in the United States on February 9, 2026. Since then, the program has expanded to more than 40 countries. OpenAI said advertising supports its Free and lower-cost Go plans while providing another source of revenue alongside subscriptions and enterprise services.
The advertising push also gives OpenAI access to ChatGPT’s large consumer audience. The company said ChatGPT serves more than 1 billion weekly active users, creating a broad base for advertisers seeking to reach consumers during product research and purchasing decisions.
OpenAI is now expanding self-service access to its advertising platform across India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Advertisers in these markets can use Ads Manager to create campaigns and manage their spending directly.
The company had already expanded ChatGPT Ads to several international markets during 2026. In August, OpenAI announced a rollout across 31 European countries after launching ads in markets including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and South Korea.
Advertisers can currently use cost-per-thousand-impressions and cost-per-click buying options. OpenAI has also introduced campaign measurement tools as it develops the platform beyond its initial testing phase.
As advertising expands, OpenAI will place limits on where ads appear and how they interact with ChatGPT responses. The company said ads are ‘clearly labeled’ and remain separate from answers generated by ChatGPT. It also mentioned that advertising will not influence these answers.
OpenAI also stated that advertisers will not receive access to users’ private conversations. Ads may appear on Free and Go accounts, while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans remain ad-free. Accounts identified as belonging to users under 18 will also be excluded from advertising.
The company has also restricted ads around sensitive conversations and several regulated areas. Its policies limit advertising alongside topics such as political content, self-harm, weapons and other sensitive user situations.
The rapid growth of ChatGPT Ads gives OpenAI another commercial business as it considers entering public markets. OpenAI confirmed in June that it had confidentially submitted a draft registration statement to the SEC, although it said the timing of any IPO remained undecided.
Meanwhile, the company plans to take ChatGPT Ads into additional markets and introduce more formats, campaign objectives, buying options and measurement tools. OpenAI also said it will explore new ways for businesses to interact with consumers directly inside ChatGPT as its advertising platform develops.
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