- OpenAI says there are no live ad tests on ChatGPT, per Nick Turley.
- Screenshots of in-app “ads” appear tied to a new shopping/Instant Checkout feature.
- Code references to an “ads feature” have been found, but any ad rollout is paused amid other priorities.
H2: What users reported
Several ChatGPT users shared screenshots on social media showing what looked like an ad in the ChatGPT interface — one example displayed a link labeled “ADS TO SHOP AT TARGET.” The posts spread concern among the chatbot’s roughly 800 million weekly users about whether OpenAI had started placing traditional advertising inside ChatGPT.
One widely shared post by Benjamin De Kraker on X read: “I’m in ChatGPT (paid Plus subscription), asking about Windows BitLocker and it’s F-ing showing me ADS TO SHOP AT TARGET. Yeah, screw this. Lose all your users.” (Tweet: https://twitter.com/BenjaminDEKR/status/1996059933998285094)
H3: OpenAI’s response
Nick Turley, OpenAI’s head of ChatGPT, pushed back on the rumors on X, saying: “I’m seeing lots of confusion about ads rumors in ChatGPT. There are no live tests for ads — any screenshots you’ve seen are either not real or not ads. If we do pursue ads, we’ll take a thoughtful approach.” Turley emphasized that trust in ChatGPT would guide any future decisions.
H3: Why this looks like shopping, not ads
OpenAI recently rolled out new shopping capabilities, including an Instant Checkout integration with Stripe. When users ask shopping-related questions, ChatGPT can surface relevant products from across the web and present a “Buy” tab when Instant Checkout is available. That feature can resemble an ad or promotional link even though it’s intended as commerce functionality rather than paid placements.
H4: Code leaks and paused plans
Developers and app researchers previously discovered references to an “ads feature” in ChatGPT’s Android app code, stirring additional speculation. However, OpenAI has publicly said it is merely considering advertising, not that ads are live. Internal company decisions have also reprioritized work: after Google’s Gemini 3 launch, CEO Sam Altman reportedly declared a “code red,” shifting resources to core ChatGPT improvements and delaying some product plans, including ad features.
H2: What to watch next
OpenAI’s stance for now is clear: no live ad tests. But the company has not ruled out advertising long-term. Users should expect clearer communication from OpenAI if and when any ad or paid-promotion program is formally proposed. In the short term, similar screenshots are more likely tied to commerce features or manipulated images rather than an ad network quietly rolling out inside ChatGPT.
For readers tracking developments: follow OpenAI’s official channels and Nick Turley’s posts for confirmations before reacting to social screenshots.
