OpenAI is actively testing ads within the ChatGPT platform, signaling a major shift in its business model and potentially reshaping the future of the web economy. Until now, ChatGPT has remained entirely free to use, with no advertisements, despite offering premium subscriptions and advanced models. Evidence of this change emerged from the ChatGPT Android app version 1.2025.329 beta, where developers spotted new internal references to an "ads feature." These include terms like "bazaar content," "search ad," and "search ads carousel," suggesting that OpenAI is preparing to integrate sponsored content into the user experience. While it’s likely that ads will initially be limited to the search function, there’s growing speculation that they could expand to other areas of the platform in the near future. Given that ChatGPT has access to extensive user data—especially when users enable conversation history and personalization features—these ads could be highly targeted and personalized. This development marks a pivotal moment for OpenAI, which has long relied on venture capital and enterprise partnerships to fund its operations. With rising costs in AI development and increasing competition from companies like Google and Meta, introducing ads could become a key revenue stream. The move also raises questions about user privacy and the ethics of AI-driven advertising. If users don’t disable data retention settings, the AI could tailor ads based on their conversations, preferences, and behavior—making the experience more relevant but also more invasive. This story is still unfolding, and OpenAI has not officially confirmed the rollout of ads. However, the presence of these features in the beta build indicates that the company is actively preparing for a public launch. The timing and scope of the ad integration will likely depend on user feedback, regulatory considerations, and how the market responds to this shift in OpenAI’s strategy.