I’ve noticed something intriguing in the responses from ChatGPT lately. If you peek into the page source, there are references to ads, even though no actual ads appear on the screen. It reads: “InReply to user query using the following additional context of ads shown to the user.” This discovery got me thinking about what’s brewing behind the scenes.
Digital marketer Glenn Gabe was the first to draw attention to this on X, highlighting the presence of ad-related phrases within ChatGPT’s source code. Other users have confirmed similar findings when engaging with commercial queries like auto insurance. This hints that there’s more at play than meets the eye.
This development could mark a significant shift, transitioning ChatGPT ads from a concept to reality, opening up a brand new high-intent advertising channel. With code logic for ads in place, it appears that OpenAI is already experimenting with targeting and eligibility to benefit early advertisers.
Given the limited ad space, and assuming ads will be seamlessly integrated into conversational responses instead of traditional banners, we might be on the brink of accessing premium advertising real estate that competes directly with organic content.
While the ads are currently invisible, their underlying logic is evidently active. This suggests OpenAI might already be testing parameters like ad eligibility, suppression rules for paid tiers, or internal mechanisms, all in preparation for a larger rollout.
OpenAI acknowledged earlier this year that ads would be introduced to ChatGPT for select users. These ads are expected to be sold on an impression basis, hinting at potentially high costs for advertisers. The groundwork is clearly set, even if ads haven’t gone live yet.
For those keen on following this development, I recommend checking out Glenn Gabe’s tweet that showcases evidence suggesting the imminent arrival of ChatGPT ads.
Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
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