ChatGPT to now start showing bigger ad banners in video or image form, OpenAI says

ChatGPT users in the US could soon start seeing much more visual advertising inside the chatbot. OpenAI has announced a new ad format that will use images to promote products and services, starting with ads shown while users generate images.The new format will be tested later this month with a small group of advertisers in the US. Unlike the relatively small ads that ChatGPT has been showing so far, the new format is designed to give advertisers more space to showcase products through visuals. It is currently unknown whether the same also be expanded to other countries like India once the test becomes successful.OpenAI says these ads could show how a product is used, offer ideas around a product or service, or depict experiences associated with a brand. The company believes this will give businesses a new way to reach people who are already using ChatGPT to explore ideas, make decisions or discover products."Initially, we will test this new ad format during image generation in ChatGPT. Ads will be clearly labeled, and remain separate from the image being created," OpenAI said in its announcement. The company also reiterated that advertising will not influence the responses generated by ChatGPT. The ads will remain separate from the AI-generated content, meaning an advertisement appearing alongside an image should not affect the image or the chatbot's answer.OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT's advertising businessOpenAI has been gradually introducing advertising to ChatGPT as it looks for ways to generate revenue from its huge user base. The company says ChatGPT now reaches 1.2 billion people every week, making advertising an important part of its plans to make AI available to a larger audience without relying only on paid subscriptions. Along with the new visual ads, OpenAI is giving advertisers more tools to measure whether their campaigns result in purchases or other actions. It has added integrations with companies including Hightouch, Tealium and LiveRamp, allowing advertisers to send conversion data from their existing systems to ChatGPT Ads.OpenAI is also working with attribution companies such as AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Triple Whale and Kochava to help businesses track clicks, conversions and campaign performance. The company is also putting more focus on where these ads appear. OpenAI says its advertising safeguards are designed to keep ads away from emotionally vulnerable, sensitive or otherwise unsuitable conversations.It is working with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science to independently evaluate brand suitability. OpenAI says these partners will assess its safeguards without getting access to users' private conversations.- Ends