Jamwaktu.com – In recent days, several ChatGPT users, both free and paid, have reported seeing what appear to be ads while using the service. One of the most widely shared examples is a prompt labeled Shop for home and groceries. Connect Target, which some users described as a disguised promotion for the retail store.
Many people reacted on social media and user forums. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that while he was asking a technical question, the prompt ADS TO SHOP AT TARGET suddenly appeared.
This reaction raised concerns that the service, previously known for its ad-free nature, would become a platform that injects promotions, even for those who pay for the Pro plan.
OpenAI Clarification: Not Ads, But Recommendation/App Features
Faced with user outrage, OpenAI reacted quickly. ChatGPT head Nick Turley, via his X account, stated that there are currently no active ad tests on ChatGPT. The circulating screenshots, he said, are either fake or not ads.
OpenAI emphasized that features that appear to be ads are actually part of app discovery or agentic commerce, a way to connect users with partners or third-party services when relevant to the conversation, not because advertisers pay for them to appear.
The company stated that for now, all advertising efforts are on hold, especially after CEO Sam Altman declared a code red to allow the team to focus on improving ChatGPT’s performance, speed, and stability amidst fierce competition.
Why the Confusion: Are Shopping & Recommendations the Same as Ads?
It’s important to understand the context: over the past few months, OpenAI has been developing shopping and product/service recommendation features within ChatGPT. These services allow users to view search results for products or services, and even make purchases, but according to OpenAI, these results are independent, not paid promotions.
With a massive user base, ChatGPT reportedly has around 800 million weekly active users, there is a significant opportunity for OpenAI to explore various revenue models in the future. However, the company admits that if they do decide to add ads, they will do so very carefully and in line with user intent.
Skeptical users see it as hidden advertising. One user on the forum stated:
“I saw it for myself… Target was being advertised.”
The online community (e.g., on the subreddit) shows a split: some don’t see anything, others are convinced they saw some kind of advertising even though OpenAI says no.
Potential & Concerns: Why Does This Matter?
For many users, especially those who use ChatGPT for personal, work, or academic purposes, the emergence of commercial elements (advertisements or product recommendations) can undermine trust. Once a platform once considered neutral and ad-free turns into even a hint of product promotion, many users consider unsubscribing. Reports indicate that some Pro users are discussing canceling their subscriptions if the ads become permanent.
From a business perspective, for OpenAI itself, which generates billions in revenue but is not yet sustainably profitable, advertising could be a way to support its substantial operational and research costs.
However, there is a real danger: academic research has warned that ads in conversational search systems like ChatGPT could exploit user trust by serving seemingly neutral but actually commercially biased content, or target users based on private conversational data.
Currently: Ads Halted But Future Remains Uncertain
According to OpenAI’s latest official statement, there are currently no ad tests; the app recommendation/discovery feature has been disabled in users’ feeds.
However, the company hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of future ads, especially if they determine that this aligns with the mission and values promised to users.
Meanwhile, the user community remains wary, with many viewing these efforts as the beginning of disguised advertising on a platform once considered neutral.
Conclusion
The current situation demonstrates the tension between two realities: one a convenient, ad-free, neutral user experience; and two business pressures and the possibility of future monetization.
Many users felt a change, or at least an annoyance, when the shopping/recommendation feature appeared. But OpenAI officially denies that it was an ad or part of an active ad test. For now, at least, the service remains ad-free.
However, with its massive user base and high operational costs for AI, the future remains open. OpenAI stated that it would be very cautious if it decides to add advertising.
For users, the choice now lies in trust: should ChatGPT remain viable as a neutral assistant or should they start considering alternatives if monetization expands.
