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 — @btibor91's post on X, with counts as of 09 Nov 2026 12:49 UTC. Live post on X

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 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

Leakly track record

Sponsored images appear next to, but separate from, the image a user requested, according to TechCrunch. The Verge 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.

Sources

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