ChatGPT Ads
Sponsored placements shown alongside ChatGPT answers, for users on the Free and Go plans.
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New ad channelChatGPT Ads & AI-powered campaigns.
OpenAI now lets businesses advertise inside ChatGPT conversations — and manage those campaigns with AI. We help Sri Lankan brands decide if it’s right for them, then plan, build and run campaigns that show up where people are already asking.
What’s new
ChatGPT is becoming an ad channel — and a campaign manager.
OpenAI Ads Manager
A self-serve platform to create, launch, monitor and manage campaigns.
AI campaign management
Create, update and analyse campaigns with plain-language prompts inside ChatGPT.
How it works
Ads matched to intent, not just keywords.
Instead of relying only on typed keywords, ChatGPT matches ads to what the person is actually talking about — their conversation and intent. The platform itself will feel familiar to anyone who has run Google or Meta campaigns.
Structure
Campaign → ad group → ad — the same build as Google and Meta.
Bidding
CPM, CPC and conversion-optimised CPC (oCPC).
AI assist
AI-suggested copy and images, and campaign management by prompt in ChatGPT.
Ads may appearFreeGoOnly for eligible users in supported markets.
No adsPlusProBusiness / EduPaid individual, work and education plans.
The ad-eligible audience is smaller than ChatGPT’s total users — and OpenAI doesn’t publish how many Free or Go users there are by country, so we plan budgets with that gap in mind.
Why it matters in Sri Lanka
One in three AI users already research brands with it.
18%National adoptionConsumers using GenAI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini
25%Western ProvinceAdoption in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara
55%AwarenessConsumers who are aware of generative AI
39%Gen Z researchGen Z AI users who use it to research brands
If your brand isn’t visible where people ask AI for recommendations, you can miss the shortlist entirely.
Source: BCG and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, The Changing Path to Purchase in Sri Lanka (October 2026) — a nationally representative survey of 2,272 consumers across all nine provinces.
The global picture
A young channel that’s growing quickly.
1B+Weekly usersChatGPT’s weekly active users worldwide. Not all of them can see ads
100K+AdvertisersAdvertisers that have run campaigns so far
89MarketsMarkets where ChatGPT Ads are sold, with Sri Lanka on the self-service list
3.63%Ad and answerTracked ad placements where the advertiser was also cited in the answer
An ad buys a labelled placement, not a place in the answer. GEO works on being named in the answer itself, so the two do different jobs.
Sources: OpenAI (August 2026), OpenAI Ads Manager availability, PPC Land on OpenAI’s October 2026 update and SE Ranking’s ChatGPT ads tracker. Figures are global and change quickly.
Where it fits
Good categories to test first.
Travel & hospitality
Hotels, villas and tour operators can reach travellers while they’re still planning a trip.
E-commerce & retail
Online stores and consumer brands can appear while shoppers compare what to buy.
Education & digital products
Courses, apps and software suit people who are researching options in detail.
Real estate brands
Developers and property platforms can promote their brand, but ads for individual homes or rentals aren’t allowed.
Based on OpenAI’s ad policies, updated 10 September 2026. We check eligibility for your category before you spend.
Who to target
The audiences to prioritise first.
Gen Z (18+)Stronger AI adoption and brand-research behaviour
Young professionalsResearching technology, education, lifestyle and financial products
Urban consumersHigher adoption than rural areas, led by the Western Province
Affluent householdsEstablished-income consumers report higher AI adoption
The honest part
What to know before you spend.
Limited audience
Ads are rolling out gradually. Plus, Pro, Business, under-18 and temporary-chat users are excluded, so not everyone can see them.
Different targeting
Delivery starts from the conversation rather than a keyword list. OpenAI has added options such as geographic targeting and custom audiences, so we check what’s available for each campaign.
Language support
Sinhala and Tamil ad support isn’t confirmed yet, so English-language creative is the more reliable choice for now.
Category restrictions
Banking, insurance, leasing, healthcare and legal services are currently allowed only in the US. Alcohol, tobacco, gambling, political and dating ads are prohibited everywhere.
Based on OpenAI’s platform documentation, ad policy and rollout at the time of writing — this is a fast-moving channel, and we keep clients updated as it changes.
How we help
Get ready now, launch when it makes sense.
Readiness check
Is your category allowed, is your audience on ChatGPT, and what budget makes sense to test?
AI search visibility
Make your website and content easy for AI assistants to understand and recommend, even without paid ads. See our GEO service.
Campaign setup
Campaign structure, bidding, English-first creative and conversion tracking in OpenAI Ads Manager.
AI-powered management
Ongoing optimisation using ChatGPT’s prompt-based tools, reviewed by our team.
Joined-up reporting
ChatGPT Ads measured alongside your Meta and Google campaigns, so you can see what really drives sales.
ChatGPT Ads FAQs
Wondering if it’s right for your brand? Book a 15-minute call.
What are ChatGPT Ads?
ChatGPT Ads are sponsored placements shown alongside ChatGPT’s answers. They’re matched to the context of the conversation and managed through OpenAI Ads Manager.
Who sees ChatGPT Ads?
Ads may appear for eligible users on the Free and Go plans in supported markets. Users on Plus, Pro, Business and Edu plans, under-18s and temporary chats don’t see ads.
Can I run ChatGPT Ads in Sinhala or Tamil?
Local-language ad support hasn’t been confirmed yet, so we currently recommend English-language creative for Sri Lankan campaigns.
Is my business allowed to advertise?
Most categories can. Banking, insurance, leasing, healthcare and legal services are currently limited to the US, and alcohol, tobacco, gambling, political and dating ads are prohibited globally.
How is it different from Google or Meta ads?
The campaign structure and bidding will feel familiar, but targeting starts from conversation context rather than keywords — so creative and landing pages need to answer real questions well.
Can Sri Lankan businesses run ChatGPT Ads?
Yes. OpenAI’s Ads Manager availability list includes Sri Lanka for self-service, as long as the legal entity that advertises and is billed is based in a listed country. Availability and ad delivery can change, so we check both before planning a campaign.
Do ChatGPT Ads get my brand into the answer?
No. OpenAI says ads are separate from answers and don’t influence them. To work towards being named in the answer itself, you need GEO, which we can plan alongside your ads.
