OpenAI is refining the way ChatGPT functions to bring in more money, including a new $8 ChatGPT Go tier and the introduction of advertising at the bottom of queries for free users.

ChatGPT has, for quite some time, provided a number of paid tiers alongside its free service. However, with the ever-present expense of running AI continuing to apply pressure to OpenAI's finances, it's doing two things that should help earn it a bit more cash.

The first change is the introduction of advertising. On Friday, OpenAI confirmed that it will be bringing marketing spots to ChatGPT on some of its cheaper service tiers. The lengthy update from the company explains that the ads are in testing, and will initially roll out to U.S. users in the coming weeks.

The ad spots will initially take the form of ads at the bottom of ChatGPT answers, in cases where there's a relevant sponsored product or service, based on the current conversation. Ads will allegedly be "clearly labeled," and separated from the actual ChatGPT response itself.

However, while the ads will be based on the content of conversations, OpenAI insists that the ads will not influence the types of responses ChatGPT will provide. It also says that conversations with ChatGPT will be kept private from advertisers and that it won't sell user data either.

The ads will also not appear on accounts where the user states they are under 18 years old, or if ChatGPT predicts their age to be under 18 too.

Users will also always have an option to not see advertising, which will include paying for a higher-priced plan like Plus, Pro, Business, or Enterprise.

A cheaper ChatGPT option

At the same time as the threat of introducing advertising to free users, ChatGPT is also expanding its subscription tiers to include a cheaper option.

ChatGPT Go will cost users $8 per month, and will give a bit of a boost to the included service allowances. While free users have limited access to various account features, such as slower image generation and reduced usage of the flagship model GPT-5.2, ChatGPT Go will offer more.

According to the pricing page, ChatGPT Go will include more access to the flagship model, more messages, more image creation, more uploads, and a longer memory than the free edition. For the messages, uploads, and image generation features, ChatGPT Go will have ten times the allowance of the free plan.

However, the plan won't go as far as ChatGPT Plus, the $20 option that includes more advanced reasoning models, expanded access, deep research and agent mode, projects, custom GPTs, and access to Codex Agent and Sora video generation.

ChatGPT Go will also differ from the other plans by being the only paid plan that will include the announced advertising spots.

Cheaper but ad-fueled

Despite the assurances that the new ad spots will protect user data and won't be sold to advertisers, it will still draw a direct comparison with Google. The search company has used analytics of user data and behaviors to fuel a massive and highly lucrative advertising machine.

While there's no immediate sign that OpenAI would go down the same route in the future, it could end up being a tempting proposition for the executive board.

For Apple users who are familiar with the current ChatGPT integration in iOS and other platforms, there is the question about whether the advertising will impact their iPhone use. It's unlikely that the ads will be displayed as part of Siri queries handed over to ChatGPT, especially due to Apple's tendency to try and protect users from undue outside interruptions of service.

Users who aren't keen on the idea of being served advertising by ChatGPT may want to consider paying for the $20-per-month plan, or possibly jumping ship to services like Claude. At least, until Apple gets its own AI into fit shape.