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[Confirmed]

# OpenAI confirms visual ads next to ChatGPT image generation results

The test runs in the US for Free and Go users. OpenAI announced the format on October 5.

Leaked on 05 October 2026

![Screenshot of @btibor91's X post: OpenAI is testing a new visual ad format in ChatGPT during image generation, starting later this month in the US ht](https://leakly.com/assets/images/chatgpt-visual-ads-image-generation-hero.jpg)

@btibor91's post on X, with counts as of 09 Nov 2026 12:49 UTC. [Live post on X](https://x.com/btibor91/status/2107052193102934220)

OpenAI is testing a visual ad format that appears alongside ChatGPT image generation results, starting in the US, Tibor Blaho (@btibor91) flagged on October 5. [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/05/openai-launches-visual-ads-that-appear-alongside-image-generation-results/) reported the launch the same day.

> **Tibor Blaho** @btibor91
>
> OpenAI is testing a new visual ad format in ChatGPT during image generation, starting later this month in the US
> https://t.co/Uu0OmBNywM https://t.co/yjx6bnhFP5
>
> 226 likes · 12 reposts · counts as of 09 Nov 2026, 12:49 UTC
>
> — Tibor Blaho (@btibor91) [October 5, 2026](https://twitter.com/btibor91/status/2107052193102934220)

[Leakly track record](https://leakly.com/leakers/btibor91/)

Sponsored images appear next to, but separate from, the image a user requested, according to TechCrunch. [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1004655/openai-chatgpt-visual-ads) reported that the move puts more ads in ChatGPT for users on free tiers.

OpenAI confirmed the format. How users and advertisers respond is not yet known.

## What we know

* OpenAI is testing visual ads beside image generation results in the US.

## What we don't know

* Ad revenue and click-through figures.
* When the test expands beyond the US.

## What would confirm it

Already confirmed by OpenAI.

## Sources

* [Original X post by @btibor91](https://x.com/btibor91/status/2107052193102934220)
* [OpenAI launches visual ads that appear alongside image generation results | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/05/openai-launches-visual-ads-that-appear-alongside-image-generation-results/)
* [OpenAI is sticking more ads in ChatGPT | The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1004655/openai-chatgpt-visual-ads)

[Confirmed]

## What happened later

OpenAI confirmed the format. How users and advertisers respond is not yet known.

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