OpenAI halts ad‑like app suggestions

OpenAI announced that it has disabled certain promotional app messages that were appearing in ChatGPT. The decision follows user complaints that the chatbot displayed in‑app messages promoting companies such as Peloton and Target beneath chats that were unrelated to those services.

Mark Chen, OpenAI’s chief research officer, explained that the company is working to improve the user experience and that the type of suggestion "has now been disabled." He added that OpenAI is looking at better controls so users can dial down or turn off such suggestions if they are not helpful.

Users, including some on paid Pro and Plus plans, shared screenshots showing the promotional messages encouraging them to "find a fitness class" or "shop for home and groceries" after discussing unrelated topics. The messages linked directly to integrated apps within the ChatGPT service.

An unnamed company spokesperson told TechCrunch that the messages were part of OpenAI’s tests for surfacing apps in ChatGPT, referencing earlier plans to suggest apps when they were relevant to the conversation. In response to a complaint on X, OpenAI data engineer Daniel McAuley said the promotional messages are not ads because "there’s no financial component," but he also acknowledged that the lack of relevancy made the experience confusing.

McAuley explained that the messages were designed to boost the organic discovery of partner apps within ChatGPT, intending to keep users engaged with the chatbot rather than switching to another app.

The move occurs amid broader conversations about how OpenAI might monetize ChatGPT. The company has reported significant revenue from API licenses and user subscriptions, though only a small percentage of its users pay for the service. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has said he is "not totally against" introducing ads to ChatGPT and has expressed admiration for how ads are integrated on platforms like Instagram.

ChatGPT head Nick Turley responded to the backlash by insisting that there are no live tests for ads on the service, stating that any screenshots showing ads are either not real or not ads. Turley also noted that OpenAI would need to be "very thoughtful and tasteful" if it ever introduced ads.

Overall, the disabling of the ad‑like promotions reflects OpenAI’s effort to address user frustration while continuing to explore ways to generate revenue from its AI products.

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