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Category: ChatGPT

OpenAI to Retire ChatGPT Atlas Aug. 9: What I’m Watching

I’m watching OpenAI discontinue ChatGPT Atlas, its standalone desktop browser, and move its browser-based AI features into the new ChatGPT desktop app. That app brings together ChatGPT Work, OpenAI’s work-focused agent, and ChatGPT Codex.

The end of Atlas. I’m taking note of an Aug. 9 retirement date after OpenAI’s James Sun confirmed the plan on X.

I’m also noting Sun’s exact wording: “The current targeted date for deprecation is 8/9, and we’ll share more information in the upcoming days both in-app and via email.”

One desktop app. I see the new ChatGPT desktop app becoming OpenAI’s primary desktop product, complete with built-in browser capabilities. Instead of maintaining a separate AI browser, OpenAI is combining browsing, work-agent features, and Codex in one place.

Chrome users can keep Chrome. If I prefer using Chrome, I can access ChatGPT and Codex through OpenAI’s Chrome extension without switching to a dedicated OpenAI browser.

As AI reshapes search, every glowing path to discovery carries commercial value—turning SEO investment into a conversation about pipeline, risk, and customer acquisition costs.

Why I care. I see this as an important shift because OpenAI is moving AI browsing into the main ChatGPT experience, where more people can ask questions, research brands, and complete tasks. In my view, that gives ChatGPT another opportunity to influence discovery beyond traditional search results.

My quick recap. ChatGPT Atlas will be retired as a standalone browser less than a year after its launch.

I first saw ChatGPT Atlas launch on Mac in October. OpenAI later released a dedicated Codex app and added an in-app browser in April. Now, I’m watching those capabilities move into the new unified ChatGPT desktop app.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 10, 2026
ChatGPT Ads Updates: New Drafts, Audiences and Formats

I’m seeing OpenAI continue to build out ChatGPT Ads with a new round of updates for advertisers. In an email, ChatGPT Ads announced changes across ChatGPT Ads Manager and the broader ad experience, including custom audiences, a new overview tab, suggested ad drafts, a refreshed static ad card format, and expanded availability in Japan and South Korea.

Here is what stands out to me from the latest update.

Custom audiences: I can now upload audience lists with 25,000 or more users to include or suppress audiences from campaigns. OpenAI is also allowing bid multipliers for audiences at the ad group level, which gives advertisers more control over how aggressively they want to reach specific segments.

Overview tab: The new overview tab gives me a more centralized place to monitor account health, review recommended tasks that may improve campaign performance, and analyze key performance metrics in a larger, more flexible trend chart.

A before-and-after look at ChatGPT's refreshed static ad card, turning a small sponsored grocery prompt into a cleaner, more readable format with larger visuals and a clear Ad badge.

Suggested ad drafts: If a campaign needs broader content coverage to improve delivery, I may see an option to select “Add new ad” from the campaign view. This feature uses existing website metadata to prefill an ad draft with an image, title, and description, which I can then review, edit, and assign to a campaign and ad group. Importantly, OpenAI says this does not generate new copy or imagery with AI.

Japan and South Korea expansion: ChatGPT Ads are now live in Japan and South Korea. That means campaigns can target users in both markets, giving advertisers more reach if they do business there.

Refreshed static ad card format: OpenAI is also rolling out a refreshed static ad card across web and mobile. I see this as a cleaner, more compact format designed to be easier to read while giving visuals more prominence. This format had already started appearing in late June.

A bold Google logo sits atop layered, colorful digital documents, evoking the fast-moving world of search marketing, ad formats, campaign assets, and platform updates.

Why I care: ChatGPT Ads are still new, and OpenAI is clearly moving quickly. New targeting tools, reporting views, draft workflows, market expansion, and format tests all point to a platform that is still taking shape.

My takeaway is simple: I need to keep watching these changes closely, test them as they become available, and continue refining ad creative, audience strategy, and campaign structure as ChatGPT Ads matures.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 9, 2026
ChatGPT Ads Audience Lists: What Marketers Need to Know

I am seeing OpenAI roll out the ability to upload audience lists inside ChatGPT Ads. The new option appears under the “Tools” section and is labeled “Audiences.”

My read is that this gives advertisers a way to target campaigns based on the audience lists they upload to the platform, which should make ChatGPT Ads more useful for more precise ad targeting.

A new Audiences area appears in ChatGPT Ads Manager, inviting advertisers to upload customer lists for campaign targeting and audience filtering.

More details. I can upload raw or hashed emails and phone numbers and use them as audience filters for campaigns running on ChatGPT Ads.

A ChatGPT Ads audience upload form shows how advertisers can add customer lists, choose identifier type, and submit CSV or TXT files for campaign targeting.

What it looks like. I spotted screenshots of the feature from Craig Graham and Joss Froggatt on LinkedIn. Here is what the Audiences option looks like in the platform:

A glowing Google search bar cuts through streams of digital data, capturing the fast-moving world of search, shopping visibility, and SEO innovation.

Why I care. I see this as another sign that OpenAI is continuing to build more customization and targeting controls into its new ChatGPT Ads platform.

For advertisers and marketers, audience uploads could make the platform more practical and more performance-focused. If the targeting works well, it may help improve conversions, strengthen ROI, and make ChatGPT Ads a more serious option in paid media plans.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 7, 2026
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ads Generator Raises Marketer Caution

I am seeing OpenAI roll out a new feature that lets ChatGPT Ads generate ads for advertisers, and I suspect AI is doing the heavy lifting behind it. The option appears under “Add new ad” and includes a prompt to “generate ads for you.”

From there, I can choose to let ChatGPT create the ad, then review it, edit it, and approve it before it goes live on the ChatGPT Ads platform.

ChatGPT Ads Manager preview highlights OpenAI's generated ad workflow, where marketers can review an AI-created variation before activating it for a campaign.

What it looks like. Anthony Higman posted a screenshot of the feature on X, showing how the ad creation flow appears inside the platform.

A ChatGPT Ads dropdown highlights the quick Duplicate Ad option, pointing marketers to a faster way to copy an existing ad for review, edits, and reuse.

In the screenshot, the interface says, “We generated an ad variation based on your website and campaign settings. Review, edit as needed, and activate when you’re ready.” I can then move forward by selecting “Review and create.”

Old search marketing tools give way to a faster, connected future, with data streams, AI icons, and a glowing search hub symbolizing SEO innovation and community growth.

I also noticed that Higman spotted a quick duplicate ad option, which could make it easier to create variations faster.

Why I care. It makes sense to me that OpenAI would use AI to help advertisers create ads more quickly. If the tool reduces friction, it could lead to more ads being created, submitted, and activated on ChatGPT Ads, which would also help OpenAI generate more revenue from ChatGPT.

As a marketer, I would still be careful with AI-generated ads. I would review every version closely to make sure the messaging fits the brand, supports the campaign strategy, and aligns with performance goals, including ROI.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 6, 2026
Why ChatGPT Ads Are Becoming Much Harder to Dismiss

I am seeing OpenAI point to early momentum in its advertising business, with executives saying ChatGPT users are dismissing ads less often and engaging with them more. For me, that makes ad dismissal a key signal to watch as OpenAI looks for revenue beyond subscriptions and enterprise AI.

What is happening. OpenAI says ChatGPT ad dismissals have dropped by 50% since the company launched its advertising business in February. I read that decline as OpenAI’s way of showing that its ads are becoming more relevant, because the company treats dismissals as a proxy for whether users find an ad useful or intrusive.

The update came from OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser, who framed relevance as a central focus for the company as it builds advertising into ChatGPT.

Why I care. If users are becoming more open to ads inside ChatGPT, I see conversational AI becoming a more serious advertising channel. A 50% drop in dismissals suggests better relevance and stronger engagement, which could give brands a way to reach people during high-intent, task-focused moments instead of relying only on interruptive ad formats.

Why relevance matters. I think ads inside AI experiences face a much higher bar than traditional display ads. People usually come to ChatGPT to complete a task, answer a question, compare options or solve a problem, so an ad that feels disconnected can quickly create friction and damage trust.

According to Dresser, OpenAI has been focused on making the format useful. “This form factor is about usefulness,” she said. “That’s great for the consumer, great for the user.”

The bigger picture. I see these results as an early look at how advertising may evolve inside generative AI platforms. Instead of interrupting content consumption, AI-powered advertising is moving toward recommendations that fit the user’s intent and the conversation already underway.

That shift means success may depend less on grabbing attention and more on being genuinely helpful. The lower dismissal rate suggests OpenAI is making progress toward that goal, even if the ad model is still early.

Competition extends beyond advertising. I also see this update in the context of OpenAI expanding its business on multiple fronts. While it builds an ads business, the company is also competing for enterprise AI spending against rivals such as Anthropic.

That creates pressure for OpenAI to diversify revenue streams while still protecting the user experience across both consumer and enterprise products.

What I am watching next. If OpenAI keeps improving ad relevance while maintaining engagement, I think ChatGPT could become a meaningful new advertising platform and a useful early blueprint for how ads work in conversational AI environments.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.

July 3, 2026
How I’d Get Products Cited Higher in ChatGPT Shopping

I’m seeing product feeds become far more important in ChatGPT Shopping, especially as AI systems look for clean, structured product information they can trust and cite.

Product detail pages still matter, but I no longer think brands can rely on PDPs alone when ChatGPT searches for product information. The signals that power AI shopping results appear to come from a broader mix of feeds, product data, availability, pricing, and clear brand-owned content.

After looking at what more than 1 million ChatGPT shopping offers revealed, I’d treat product feeds as a core visibility asset, not just a backend ecommerce requirement. If my feed data is incomplete, inconsistent, or hard to match to the product page, I’m making it harder for AI shopping systems to understand and recommend my products.

For brands, the takeaway is clear: I need to strengthen both my product feeds and my PDPs. The better my product data is structured, aligned, and easy to verify, the better chance I have of being cited higher in AI Shopping experiences like ChatGPT.

Inspired by this post on Try Profound Blog.

July 3, 2026
ChatGPT’s October Update Raises Brand Visibility Stakes

In mid-October, I saw ChatGPT roll out a major response update that changed how brands show up in its answers.

What stood out to me was the shift in brand visibility. Mentions became harder to earn, and competition inside AI-generated responses appeared to get tougher across categories.

Using Answer Engine Insights, Profound analyzed millions of prompts across ChatGPT and other leading answer engines to better understand what changed, where visibility moved, and how brands were affected by the update.

Inspired by this post on Try Profound Blog.

July 3, 2026
ChatGPT Entity Update Raises the Bar for Brand Visibility

I’m looking at a major ChatGPT response update that rolled out in mid-October, and the shift is clear: brand visibility inside AI-generated answers has become more competitive.

With this update, ChatGPT changed how brands appear in its responses, which means fewer easy mentions and a tougher environment for companies trying to show up in answer engines.

Using Answer Engine Insights, Profound analyzed millions of prompts across ChatGPT and other leading answer engines to understand what changed, where visibility moved, and how different categories were affected.

For me, the key takeaway is that AI visibility now depends on stronger entity signals, clearer brand authority, and a deeper understanding of how answer engines decide which names deserve to appear.

Inspired by this post on Try Profound Blog.

July 3, 2026
Unlock UK Ad Potential with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Ad Manager
I’ve discovered an exciting development for UK advertisers as OpenAI launches the ChatGPT Ads Manager in beta. This new tool offers businesses an innovative way to engage with a potentially transformative advertising channel.

OpenAI is expanding its advertising tools, providing UK businesses with early access to the self-serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT. This is a clear indication of OpenAI’s commitment to scaling its advertising capabilities on their fast-evolving AI platform.

What’s happening. According to a recent email from OpenAI, the Ads Manager Beta is now available for UK businesses, allowing advertisers to explore the platform’s potential.

The self-serve interface is user-friendly, built to help businesses quickly set up accounts and dive into campaign management with ease.

How it works. The dashboard is organized into four key areas: campaigns, tools, billing, and settings, ensuring digital marketers find the navigation intuitive and straightforward.

The platform’s interface feels familiar, with campaign controls and user management features easily accessible through streamlined navigation.

For agencies. OpenAI suggests that agencies and freelancers should avoid creating accounts on behalf of their clients.

Clients should independently:
1. Create their own Ads Manager account.
2. Go to Settings → Users → Invites.
3. Invite agency partners with suitable permission levels.
Once invited, users receive an email to accept access and can then switch between client accounts on the platform.

The catch. Unlike Google Ads’ MCC structure, current limitations mean users can’t manage multiple accounts simultaneously in a centralized way. Account switching is required for individual access.

Why we care. The UK launch of Ads Manager represents a significant opportunity for brands and agencies to familiarize themselves with the interface and workflows before it gains wider acceptance.

By eliminating upfront billing requirements and simplifying account creation, OpenAI reduces barriers for marketers eager to explore ChatGPT’s burgeoning advertising environment.

What to watch. The rollout in the UK suggests OpenAI is transitioning from experimental phases to establishing a scalable advertising platform.

Advertisers will soon need to consider inventory, targeting options, measurement tools, and how ads integrate into ChatGPT conversations.

For now, marketers are getting a firsthand look at this promising new ad infrastructure that could shape OpenAI’s future advertising success.

First spotted. This update was first shared by Chris Ridley, Head of Paid Media at Evoluted, on LinkedIn.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
June 19, 2026
OpenAI Gears Up to Revolutionize ChatGPT Ads with New Features
As part of OpenAI’s exciting expansion, I’ve learned they’re extending ChatGPT ads into five fresh markets, including the UK. Excitingly, new campaign management features are on the horizon!

I can see OpenAI ramping up its ad strategies within ChatGPT through an early test that presents the possibility for multiple advertisers to showcase their ads in a single space.

What’s happening. From what I’ve gathered, OpenAI is trialing a new multi-advertiser format over a limited number of ChatGPT ads, which was confirmed in a recent update to their advertisers.

This new approach consolidates several relevant ads into one space instead of just one sponsored result. I understand these ads will be sold using a second-price auction model, commonly employed in digital advertising.

I’m excited to share that OpenAI aims to enhance user product discovery and provide ample avenues for advertisers to connect with users during high-intent interactions.

Meanwhile, in Ads Manager Beta. There’s more good news, as OpenAI rolled out some updates to campaign management features, and here’s what caught my attention:
- It’s now possible to shift existing campaigns from lifetime budgets to daily budgets, which makes budgeting more flexible.
- CPM campaigns can seamlessly transition to CPC bidding with just a click.
- I’ve noticed that impression-based campaigns now support customized CPM max bids.
- Bulk editing right in the Ads Manager interface—how convenient is that?
- Daily budgets will start working under an average daily budget system, touting weekly pacing flexibility.
- There’s fantastic geographic targeting expansion, beyond the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, now including the U.K., Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Mexico.
Why we care. The updates are instrumental in aligning OpenAI’s ad structure with what we as marketers expect from established ad systems, easing campaign management while widening international targeting.

What to watch. This multi-advertiser test might just be the indicator of how OpenAI plans to monetize ChatGPT. If it’s successful, the strategy could be key to expanding advertisers’ reach during users’ purchasing and research phases.

The bottom line. I see OpenAI carefully crafting its advertising framework, with the introduction of multiple advertisers in a single placement potentially redefining sponsored content’s role within AI-driven conversations.

Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.
June 8, 2026

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