OpenAI to Test Visual Ads in ChatGPT During Image Generation

OpenAI is expanding its advertising formats on ChatGPT, with the company set to test visual ads in ChatGPT that will appear while users generate images on the platform. The new format is expected to give advertisers a more visual way to showcase products and services while keeping advertisements separate from AI-generated content.

The visual ad format will initially be tested in the United States later this month with a select group of advertisers. According to OpenAI, advertisers could use the format to demonstrate products, provide inspiration or highlight experiences associated with a service.

How Will Visual Ads Appear in ChatGPT?

OpenAI said the advertisements will be clearly labelled and displayed separately from the image a user is generating. The company has also reiterated that advertisements will not influence ChatGPT’s responses.

The separation between generated content and advertising is intended to make it clear to users when they are viewing promotional material rather than content produced in response to their prompt.

The move expands OpenAI’s new ads strategy as ChatGPT becomes a major consumer platform. The company said ChatGPT now reaches 1.2 billion people every week, increasing the potential scale of advertising on the service.

OpenAI Adds Advertising Measurement Tools

Alongside the visual ad test, OpenAI is introducing additional tools designed to help advertisers measure conversions generated through ChatGPT.

The company is integrating with Hightouch, Tealium and LiveRamp for conversion data. Additionally, it's working with attribution partners such as AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Triple Whale and Kochava.

The integrations are designed to provide advertisers with insights into whether ads that interact with ChatGPT will end up in downstream actions, like purchases, or app usage or other conversions.

OpenAI is also collaborating with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science for brand suitability. The partnerships are designed to assist advertisers in knowing where their ads are going and if placements adhere to brand safety standards.

What About ChatGPT User Privacy?

As OpenAI continues to develop a commercial business model, privacy and advertising protections will be an important factor to consider.

According to OpenAI, their safeguards will prevent advertisements from showing up in emotionally sensitive or otherwise inappropriate discussions. The company also confirmed that independent partners that participate in advertising measurement will not get access to users' private conversations.

OpenAI has separately maintained that advertising will not influence the answers generated by ChatGPT, keeping the advertising layer separate from the model’s responses.

Also Read: JioStar to Deepen ChatGPT Integration as AI Reshapes Sports Viewing

Why Is OpenAI Expanding ChatGPT Advertising?

The expansion represents another step in OpenAI’s efforts to develop advertising as a revenue stream for ChatGPT. The addition of visual formats could allow brands to communicate products and services more effectively than conventional text-based advertisements.

For advertisers, the combination of visual placements, conversion measurement and attribution could make ChatGPT a more measurable marketing channel.

However, the visual advertising test is currently limited to the US and will initially involve a select group of advertisers. The results of the test could determine how and when the format is expanded to additional users or markets.

As OpenAI's ChatGPT user base continues to grow, challenge will be to balance the commercial potential of advertising with user experience, privacy and trust.