OpenAI will begin displaying advertisements to ChatGPT users in India on its free and Go subscription tiers, starting with 50 brands, the company announced Wednesday. The expansion follows the rollout of ads to users in the United States in February and to Europe earlier this month. The company said it has partnered with advertising agencies WPP and Omnicom to manage the initial wave of campaigns.
Marketers will gain access to a new ad manager launching next month, which allows them to build campaigns with a daily minimum budget of 725 rupees, roughly $7.60. Dave Dugan, head of global ads solutions at OpenAI, said in a statement that the ad product, called ChatGPT Ads, enables businesses of all sizes to introduce themselves at relevant moments when users are beginning to make decisions.
The move targets a substantial user base in India, where OpenAI said in February it has more than 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users, many of whom are on the free or lower-priced Go tiers. OpenAI has invested heavily in the Indian market, launching the Go plan at a price point below $5 in August 2025 and running a limited promotion that made that tier free for a full year. The company also advertised its products during cricket tournaments including the Women’s Premier League and the Indian Premier League, and recently hired Uber’s India head to lead its expansion in the country.
The ad rollout comes as OpenAI works to strengthen its revenue streams ahead of a possible initial public offering expected this year or next. According to The Wall Street Journal, the AI lab recorded revenue of $6.7 billion in the second quarter ended June 2026, up from $5.7 billion in the previous quarter. The India ad launch marks the company’s latest effort to monetize its consumer base beyond subscription fees, targeting a market where the majority of users currently do not pay for the service.
The company has not disclosed which specific brands are included in the initial 50 or how ad placement will be integrated into chat interfaces. OpenAI’s push into advertising follows similar moves by other AI chatbot providers seeking to offset high computing costs while expanding free access. The ad manager’s low daily budget threshold suggests the company is courting smaller advertisers alongside the larger brands handled by WPP and Omnicom.
More AI news from TechManNews.
