OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT ads to 26 new countries on October 22, 2026. The move adds 14 new markets in Latin America, with more entries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Free users will see paid links inside their chat window. According to OpenAI, about 1.2 billion people use ChatGPT each week to test ideas, compare goods, and pick products to buy [1].
Where ChatGPT Ads Run
Latin America makes up more than half of the added map, where 14 new markets joined the ad network in one step. OpenAI named Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru as key South American entries. Ad spots open fast. Local brands in those four nations can now buy sponsored links that appear when shoppers ask ChatGPT for buying tips so small stores can reach buyers during active product search [1].
Entries outside the Americas span three more continents. In Africa, OpenAI opened access for Nigeria and South Africa, while Serbia and Ukraine joined in Europe. Growth was quick. In Asia, the rollout added Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to the ad roster, letting local sellers bid for chat spots with global brands that target mobile phone users in fast-growing regional markets [1].
Ad setup depends on local tools and partner teams in each country. Depending on the place, buyers can run ads through OpenAI’s Ads Manager or work with approved tech partners. The rollout lifts ChatGPT ads into 89 markets in total. Over 100,000 advertisers have already used the tool to reach web shoppers. The company said: “From local businesses to global brands, more advertisers can now reach people as they explore, compare and decide what to buy in ChatGPT.” Teams can set bids, change ad copy, and pick target spots from one main dashboard as they manage live accounts across multiple world languages and monitor daily buyer engagement in real time [1].
Free and Go Accounts
Ads will run only on Free and Go plans. Paying members stay ad-free. OpenAI said users on Plus, Pro, and Enterprise tiers will not see ads while chatting with the AI. The rule protects the chat flow for people who pay monthly subscription fees [1].
OpenAI puts clear labels on all sponsored items and keeps them apart from chat answers. The chat screen marks each ad as sponsored so readers can spot paid text right away. Ads do not blend into AI answers. Clear visual borders help users tell the difference between model guidance and paid marketing text so nobody mistakes store promotions for neutral answers from the model [1].
The ad engine shows links next to chats where people look up tasks or compare products. For example, a runner planning a first marathon might discuss daily meal routines with ChatGPT and then see an ad for a local grocery delivery service [1]. Web stores can also pitch goods during shopping chats, linking with users who try tools like ChatGPT virtual try-on for online shopping.
How Ad Targeting Works
Targeting looks at what users ask in the moment rather than plain keyword tags. Under OpenAI rules, the ad system picks links based on three key factors: the active chat discussion, apparent user intent, and the text written in the merchant promotion. If a person asks about running shoes, the system matches that query to shoe store bids. The process is direct. Brands get to place ads right when buyers want to buy [1].
Users can decide if past chats shape the ads they see. When ad tailoring is turned on in settings, the system can use clues from earlier chats in ChatGPT to pick links. But if a user turns off that switch, the tool only reads the open chat window to pick ads. Old chat history stays locked out. Privacy-minded people gain an easy way to stop ad tracking while still using the free app. Account owners can flip this toggle at any point in their account settings, making sure that personal chat logs do not guide future ad auctions or feed third-party marketing profiles [1].
OpenAI plans to build more ad tools as the network grows. The company wants to add new ad shapes, extra campaign goals, fresh buying options, and better click trackers. Engineers believe these tools will help brands test different kinds of copy in chat streams [1].
Bids and Click Pricing
Buyers can pick how they pay for ad spots. Brands can pay for impressions or valid clicks to fit their budget goals. The platform also provides conversion tracking tools so marketing teams can measure campaign results and evaluate how often chat links turn into completed product sales [1].
For cost per click campaigns, OpenAI suggests a starting top bid between $3 to $5 per click. Starting benchmarks help marketing teams compete in new country auctions. Ad costs vary by place. When brands bid in live auctions across newly opened territories, starting within this price band helps them test buyer interest without spending too much cash before seeing returns [1].
More than 100,000 advertisers have already tried ChatGPT ads to reach online buyers as product queries shift from web search to chat. Store demand is high. Brands want to meet buyers right when they weigh options [1].
Privacy Rules for ChatGPT Ads
Data safety remains a top issue for chat tools, and OpenAI drew clear privacy lines for its ad system. The firm says it does not give user chats to advertisers, nor does it sell private data. Also, OpenAI said ad deals never change or tilt the answers that ChatGPT gives to users [1].
State regulators monitor AI safety and consumer safeguards across digital platforms. Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that eight US states sued OpenAI over ChatGPT safety [1]. Watchdogs also track youth access, and Common Sense Media called ChatGPT for teens an unacceptable risk. Scrutiny from state lawmakers and child advocacy groups means that AI advertising will face steady oversight as user numbers climb in newly added international territories across multiple continents.
OpenAI says ad income helps pay high computing costs while keeping AI free for millions of people. By placing ads only on Free and Go accounts in 26 new countries, the company hopes to fund server growth without pushing away paying users who rely on daily AI tools. Free chat tools stay open. If user traffic stays steady, chat ads could change how online services earn money [1].
- ONLINE NEWS Aisultan, A. (2026, October 22). OpenAI expands ChatGPT ads to 26 more countries. Qazinform. [Article Link]
