OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT ads for Free and Go users in India
OpenAI will begin showing advertisements to users of ChatGPT’s Free and Go tiers in India, initially serving campaigns from 50 brands. The company is working with WPP and Omnicom and plans to launch an ad manager next month for marketers that want to create campaigns.
The rollout targets a large audience. OpenAI said in February that ChatGPT had more than 100 million weekly active users in India, with a substantial share using the free or lower-priced Go plans. Advertisers will need a minimum daily budget of ₹725, or $7.60, to use the forthcoming campaign tool.
India becomes the next advertising market
The Indian launch follows OpenAI’s introduction of ChatGPT advertising in the United States in February and its subsequent European expansion. The programme’s widening footprint can be seen in OpenAI’s European ChatGPT advertising expansion as OpenAI extends the model beyond its initial US market.
Dave Dugan, OpenAI’s head of global ads solutions, said ChatGPT Ads would enable businesses of different sizes to introduce themselves in relevant, high-context moments when decisions are beginning to form. The company has not detailed how individual ads will appear in the service in this announcement.
Revenue expansion alongside local growth
OpenAI has invested heavily in building its Indian user base. It introduced a ChatGPT Go plan costing under $5 in August 2025 and ran a limited promotion that made the tier free for one year. The company also advertised during the Women’s Premier League and Indian Premier League cricket competitions, and recently hired Uber’s India head to lead its expansion in the country.
Advertising adds another potential revenue stream as OpenAI seeks to strengthen its business ahead of a possible IPO, which the report says could occur this year or next. The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI recorded $6.7 billion in revenue in the second quarter ended June 2026, compared with $5.7 billion in the preceding quarter.
What marketers and users should watch
The initial 50-brand launch and modest daily budget threshold give marketers a defined entry point into ChatGPT advertising in India. Businesses considering the channel should assess whether its decision-stage context matches their campaign goals, while monitoring campaign performance and the user response as the ad manager becomes available.