ChatGPT and OpenAIConfirmed by the company
OpenAI Introduces Visual Advertising Formats in ChatGPT
Local businesses can soon reach ChatGPT users through a new visual advertising format tested during image generation.
- Event date
- October 5, 2026
- What to do
- Monitor
- Evidence
- 2 linked sources
How can my local business use the new visual ads in ChatGPT?
On October 5, 2026, OpenAI announced a new visual ad format for ChatGPT. Local businesses cannot use these ads right away. Novo reported that OpenAI is testing the format only with a select group of advertisers in the United States. You should wait for broader availability before changing your advertising budget.
THE NEWS
OpenAI introduces visual ads during ChatGPT image generation
OpenAI announced a new visual ad format on October 5, 2026, alongside expanded measurement tools for advertisers.
On October 5, 2026, OpenAI announced a new visual ad format for ChatGPT.1 The company is also expanding its measurement tools and attribution partnerships for advertisers.1 Novo reported that the visual ad format will be tested initially during image generation in the United States with a select group of advertisers.2 Novo also reported that these ads will be shown to users on the Free and Go plans.2 The ads will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the image being created.2
Advertisers can now connect their existing data systems to the platform.1 Integrations with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp allow advertisers to send conversion data directly to ChatGPT Ads.1 OpenAI stated that ChatGPT reaches 1.2 billion people each week.1
1.2 billion
People reached by ChatGPT each week.
Source: OpenAI Newsroom
THE EVIDENCE
What is confirmed about the ChatGPT visual ad test
We separate the facts OpenAI confirmed from the details reported by the press and the questions that remain open.
Confirmed by OpenAI Newsroom
- On October 5, 2026, OpenAI announced a new visual ad format for ChatGPT.1
- OpenAI is expanding its measurement tools and attribution partnerships for advertisers.1
- Integrations with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp allow advertisers to send conversion data from their existing systems to ChatGPT Ads.1
- ChatGPT reaches 1.2 billion people each week.1
Reported by the press, not confirmed
- The visual ad format will be tested initially during image generation in the United States with a select group of advertisers.2
- The visual ads will be shown to users on the Free and Go plans.2
- The ads will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the image being created.2
- OpenAI began rolling out a self-serve Ads Manager in beta in May 2026.2
Not known yet
- What is the pricing or minimum budget required for a small advertiser to run visual ads in ChatGPT?
- When will the visual ad format be available outside of the United States?
- When will the visual ad format expand beyond image generation?
BEFORE AND NOW
How ChatGPT ad formats changed
Advertisers now have a visual option during image generation.
| Aspect | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Visual ad format | Advertisers could buy ChatGPT ads through a self-serve Ads Manager beta, but there was no visual ad format during image generation. | Advertisers can use a new visual ad format during image generation in ChatGPT.2 |
THE IMPACT
Why the ChatGPT visual ad test matters for local marketing
Most local businesses cannot buy these ads yet, but marketing managers can prepare their tracking systems.
Local business owners need to know if buying ads on ChatGPT is a viable way to reach local customers. Since Novo reported that the visual ads are currently limited to a select group of advertisers in the United States, most local businesses cannot buy them yet.2 You should monitor the test and wait for broader availability before adjusting your marketing spend.
Marketing managers must understand how to integrate existing conversion data to measure future performance. OpenAI confirmed that integrations with tools like Tealium and LiveRamp are available.1 This means you can prepare your tracking systems now to ensure you can measure results accurately when the ads open to more businesses.
Local business owners
They cannot buy these ads yet because Novo reported the test is limited to select advertisers. Take no action yet.
Marketing managers
They can prepare tracking systems using Tealium or LiveRamp to measure future ad performance. Review current conversion tracking setups.
Service area businesses
They must wait to see when visual ads will target specific local regions outside the initial test. Take no action yet.
CHECK FIRST
How to check if your business can use ChatGPT visual ads
Answer these questions to see if you should adjust your marketing strategy today.
- Do you currently use Tealium, LiveRamp, or Hightouch to track your marketing conversions?
- Is your business located in the United States where the initial ad test is happening?
- Do you have an active account in the ChatGPT Ads Manager beta?
| Situation | Reason | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot find the visual ad format in your Ads Manager. | Novo reported that the format is currently limited to a select group of advertisers in the United States. | Wait for OpenAI to expand the program. |
| Nothing changed in your account. | Most local businesses will not see any changes until the test ends and the format becomes widely available. | Keep your current marketing strategy. |
| You use Tealium or LiveRamp for conversion tracking. | OpenAI confirmed that advertisers can now send conversion data from these systems to ChatGPT Ads. | Review your data integration settings. |
YOUR ACTION PLAN
What to do about the ChatGPT visual ad rollout
Wait for broader availability before changing your advertising budget.
-
Take no action yet
Done when: You have decided to keep your current advertising budget unchanged.OpenAI is only testing visual ads with a select group of advertisers in the United States. You cannot buy these ads for your local business right now. Watch for future announcements about broader availability before you change your marketing budget.
What not to do
- Do not change your advertising budget. The visual ad format is only a test for select advertisers, so you cannot spend money on it yet.
- Do not abandon your current search marketing campaigns. ChatGPT visual ads are not widely available, and traditional search remains a proven way to reach local customers.
- Do not assume your business will qualify for the next phase. OpenAI has not announced the pricing or minimum budget required for small advertisers.
OPINION
Our view: Prioritize your existing tracking systems over new ad formats
Analysis from AI Search Rankings on what the OpenAI ad rollout means for your business.
We think local businesses should view this test as an early sign of how AI platforms will make money. OpenAI is clearly building an advertising system that looks like traditional search and social media platforms. Our reading is that visual ads during image generation will eventually become a standard option for small businesses.
In our view, you should not worry about missing out right now. Novo reported that this is a limited test in the United States. We think the most useful update is the new measurement tools. The ability to connect systems like Tealium and LiveRamp shows that OpenAI wants to prove these ads drive real conversions.
You should prioritize your existing tracking systems. We think businesses with clean conversion data will have an advantage when ChatGPT opens visual ads to everyone. Do not assume that AI advertising will replace your current marketing efforts anytime soon.
Questions business owners are asking
When can my local business buy visual ads on ChatGPT?
You cannot buy them right now. On October 5, 2026, OpenAI announced a new visual ad format. Novo reported that the company is testing these ads only with a select group of advertisers in the United States. You will need to wait for OpenAI to announce broader availability.
Where will the new ChatGPT visual ads appear?
Novo reported that the visual ads will appear during image generation. The ads will be shown to users on the Free and Go plans. Novo also reported that the ads will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the image the user is creating.
How will I measure the success of ChatGPT ads?
OpenAI confirmed that it is expanding its measurement tools and attribution partnerships. You can connect your existing data systems to the platform. Integrations with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp allow you to send conversion data directly to ChatGPT Ads to track your performance.
How many people can I reach with ChatGPT ads?
OpenAI stated that ChatGPT reaches 1.2 billion people each week. However, the current visual ad test is limited to specific users in the United States. We do not know how many local customers you will be able to target when the ads become widely available.
Do I need a large budget to run visual ads on ChatGPT?
We do not know the pricing or minimum budget required for a small advertiser. OpenAI has not released cost details for the visual ad format. You should monitor the platform for future updates before you plan your advertising budget for the upcoming year.
- Ads Manager
- A self-serve platform where businesses can create, buy, and track their advertising campaigns.
- Attribution
- The process of tracking which advertisement led a customer to make a purchase or contact a business.
- Conversion data
- Information about the actions people take after clicking an ad, such as buying a product or filling out a form.
The evidence
Sources for this article
Every numbered citation in this article links to one of these pages.
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