RismadarVoice Reporters
August 31, 2026
OpenAI has announced that its ChatGPT advertising business has reached a $1 billion annualised revenue run rate, as the company expands its advertising operations globally and seeks new sources of income growth.
The company said on Monday that its ChatGPT Ads platform has gained momentum following increased adoption by advertisers and expansion into new markets.
OpenAI began testing advertisements on ChatGPT in the United States earlier in 2026 and has since increased the number of advertisers using the platform while extending access to more regions.
The company announced that advertisers in India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa can now purchase ChatGPT advertisements directly through its Ads Manager platform, which was previously launched in the United States.
OpenAI said small and medium-sized businesses now account for a significant portion of its advertising business, with its Ads Manager tool helping more businesses access the platform.
The company did not disclose specific figures on revenue generated outside the United States but said international markets are contributing an increasing share of its advertising income.
ChatGPT advertisements are currently displayed to users on the free version of the service and the lower-priced Go subscription plan.
OpenAI had earlier announced that its advertising pilot programme in the United States generated more than $100 million in annualised revenue within six weeks of launch.
The move places OpenAI in competition with major digital advertising companies including Google parent Alphabet and Meta, which operate some of the world’s largest online advertising platforms.
Analysts said the $1 billion annual revenue run rate represents strong growth but remains below some earlier market expectations. AI analyst Nate Elliott described the figure as significant while noting that it suggested OpenAI may fall short of a previously projected $2.5 billion advertising revenue target for 2026.
The expansion of ChatGPT Ads comes as OpenAI continues preparations for possible public listing plans. The company reportedly filed confidential paperwork for a United States initial public offering earlier this year, with expectations that it could become a publicly traded company by 2027 or earlier.
The company’s move into advertising marks a major shift in its business strategy as it looks to diversify revenue beyond subscriptions and enterprise services.
