OpenAI's ChatGPT ad revenue hits $1B in 200 days

OpenAI's ChatGPT ad business hit a $1B annualized run rate in 200 days, now live in 40+ countries. The company targets $2.5B in ad revenue for 2026 and $40B in total annualized revenue.

OpenAI's ChatGPT advertising business has reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate just 200 days after launching ads in February 2026. The ad platform now operates in over 40 countries, with self-serve ad buying expanding to India, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Ads are shown to both free-tier and Go plan users, with clear labeling and strict privacy—no access to private conversations. This rapid growth marks a significant shift from OpenAI's previous stance on advertising and demonstrates the company's ability to monetize free-tier traffic while maintaining product integrity. OpenAI aims for $2.5 billion in ad revenue this year and projects $40 billion in total annualized revenue by year-end. The success of the ads business strengthens OpenAI's diversified revenue model as it prepares for a potential IPO in 2027, alongside other streams like enterprise contracts, subscriptions, and APIs.