Era of advertisements in the field of AI:How AI companies like OpenAI and Gemini plan to make money without losing user trust

AI chatbots are no longer just answering questions; they are becoming shopping gateways. OpenAI and Google are now testing advertising and direct shopping features inside their AI platforms, while Anthropic is choosing a very different path. OpenAI: Ads for free users, paid plans stay clean
OpenAI has begun testing advertisements inside ChatGPT for selected users. The ads will appear only for users on the Free and Go plans, while Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans will remain ad-free. Each promotion will carry a clear “Sponsored” label inside chat responses. Ads will be shown based on broad topics and previous ad interactions, not private conversations. Free users will also have the option to turn off ads, but in exchange, they may receive fewer daily free messages. This move creates a new revenue stream without disrupting paid subscribers. Google: Turning AI search into a marketplace Google is integrating shopping more deeply into AI-powered Search and Gemini. The company is testing new ad formats in AI search results, allowing retailers to showcase products directly within AI responses.
A new feature called ‘Direct Offers’ will enable brands to display discounts and special deals inside AI search mode. This turns AI results into interactive storefronts and gives Google a direct path to monetise AI-driven searches. Anthropic: No ads, subscription focus Anthropic has taken a clear stand against traditional advertising in Claude. The company believes inserting sales pitches into conversations could damage user trust. Instead, Anthropic is focusing on subscriptions and enterprise licensing as its main revenue model. The bigger angle As AI becomes a primary way people search, compare, and decide, companies are racing to monetise that attention. The real question now is whether users will accept ads inside AI chats or pay to avoid them.

AI tools
AI tools are trending on Google as chatbots evolve beyond simply answering questions and start acting as shopping assistants. Companies like OpenAI and Google are testing ads and direct purchasing features within their AI platforms, turning conversations into potential buying experiences.
Meanwhile, Anthropic is taking a different approach by keeping its AI models free from traditional advertising.
Source: Google Trends