ChatGPT starts showing ads to Indian users:OpenAI emails about the update; how ads could change the way you search and research

ChatGPT has become a daily tool for millions of people, but users may soon notice something new alongside their answers: ads. OpenAI appears to be expanding its advertising system to more countries, and some users in India have reportedly received emails about the change. While OpenAI has not officially confirmed that ads have launched in India, the emails suggest that Indian users could start seeing sponsored content on ChatGPT. OpenAI updates its privacy policy OpenAI has informed some users about an update to its privacy policy. The company says the changes include details about how ads will work on ChatGPT and how users can manage their ad experience. The email says: We’re updating our Privacy Policy to include information about ads in ChatGPT, including how they work and how you can control your experience.
However, OpenAI’s website does not currently list India among the countries where ads are officially available. Which ChatGPT users will see ads? Ads are not expected to appear on every ChatGPT plan. According to OpenAI, ads may be shown to users on the Free and Go plans. Users on Plus, Pro, Enterprise, Business and Education plans will not see ads. OpenAI has already introduced ads in the US and has expanded them to markets including the UK, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and South Korea. The company is also testing ads in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Also read: Google marks 10 years of Pixel family of devices:New Pixel 11 series adds a multicolored LED to camera bar — top 7 rollouts

What will ads on ChatGPT actually mean?
The idea is fairly simple: while using ChatGPT, users on eligible plans may see a sponsored advertisement separately from the AI-generated answer. For example, after asking ChatGPT about a product, service, or another topic, you could see a sponsored recommendation or advertisement related to your query. OpenAI says these ads will be clearly marked as “sponsored” and will be visually separated from ChatGPT’s normal responses. This means the ad should not become part of the answer itself. Will ads change ChatGPT’s answers? The company has made it clear that advertisements will not decide or change what ChatGPT tells users. Ads do not influence the answers ChatGPT gives you. So, if you ask ChatGPT a question, the response is supposed to remain independent of any advertisement displayed alongside it. Can ads be personalised using your chats? OpenAI says ads may be personalised using information available within ChatGPT, such as advertisements you have interacted with or context from your conversations. However, the company says advertisers will not get access to your private chats or personal information. OpenAI states: Advertisers do not have access to your chats, chat history, memories, or personal details. Instead, advertisers may only receive general information about how their advertisements perform, such as the number of views or clicks. Also read: ‘Pixel Tag’ launches in India as Apple’s AirTag competitor: What’s the hype about? Know its features, price, and how it can help locate lost belongings

Why is OpenAI adding ads now? Advertising could give OpenAI another way to generate revenue from the large number of people using ChatGPT for free. The move is notable because OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had previously described ads as a “last resort” and had expressed concerns about how advertising could affect user trust. The company’s current approach suggests that it now sees advertising as a way to support its growing costs while continuing to offer a free version of ChatGPT. What Indian users should know For now, ads appearing in India have not been officially confirmed by OpenAI. The emails received by some users indicate that the company is preparing users for advertising-related privacy changes, but India is not yet listed among the official ad markets on OpenAI’s website. If ads are introduced, Free and Go users are the ones most likely to see them, while paid and organisational plans listed by OpenAI will remain ad-free.