OpenAI opens ChatGPT Ads to 26 more countries after 100,000 signups

OpenAI has expanded its ChatGPT Ads platform to 26 new countries. The company says more than 100,000 advertisers have now used ChatGPT Ads since its launch. This move gives businesses in these additional markets direct access to advertising inside ChatGPT, which OpenAI positions as a place where people make product decisions.

Why it matters

OpenAI’s expansion means that businesses in 26 more countries can now run ads inside ChatGPT. According to OpenAI, the platform has already attracted over 100,000 advertisers, ranging from local businesses to global brands. For companies that rely on digital marketing, this is another channel to reach users who are spending time inside AI chat interfaces, not just on search engines or social media.

The ChatGPT Ads product is OpenAI’s bid to turn its popular chatbot into a revenue-generating platform. It also signals that AI chatbots are moving further into the territory that was once dominated by traditional digital advertising. According to PYMNTS.com, this expansion could pressure established ad platforms to respond, especially as user attention shifts.

How ChatGPT Ads works and what’s changing

OpenAI’s announcement did not detail the specific countries added in this round, but the company says the expansion brings the total reach of ChatGPT Ads to a much broader international audience. Advertisers can now set up campaigns to appear within ChatGPT’s interface, targeting users as they interact with the chatbot. OpenAI claims this allows brands to reach people at the point where they are actively considering products and services.

For context, ChatGPT Ads is OpenAI’s first major commercial product aimed at advertisers. The company is positioning the platform as a way to reach users who are engaged in conversation, rather than passively scrolling. This is a different model from display ads or sponsored search results. The company’s move follows a trend where AI platforms are being integrated into business and consumer workflows, as seen with other recent launches like Hugging Face’s 3D asset library for robotics.

What this means if you run a business

If you are running a business in one of the newly added countries, you now have the option to advertise inside ChatGPT. This gives you access to a user base that is interacting directly with AI, often in the context of asking for recommendations or comparing options. The pitch from OpenAI is that this is a point of high intent, where users may be more open to relevant offers.

For companies already spending on digital ads, this is an opportunity to test a new channel. The format and targeting are different from what you may be used to with Google or Facebook. Early adopters will need to experiment with messaging and creative, since the ad experience is integrated into a conversational interface, not a feed or a search page. The scale is still small compared to established ad networks, but the growth to over 100,000 advertisers suggests that adoption is picking up.

It is also a sign that AI chat platforms are becoming part of the marketing mix, not just a novelty. Businesses that want to stay ahead may want to allocate some budget to try ChatGPT Ads, measure results, and see how it fits into their broader strategy. As more users spend time with AI assistants, the value of being present in those environments will likely increase.