OpenAI expands ChatGPT ads to 26 new countries, hitting 89 markets

OpenAI's move to add 26 countries to ChatGPT's ad footprint, taking the total to 89, comes just over eight months after the company began serving ads. In that time, more than 100,000 advertisers have run campaigns, suggesting advertisers are willing to test the format even as OpenAI has not disclosed spending levels. The expansion leans heavily on Latin America, with 14 of the new markets there, alongside entries in Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia, which points to a push into markets where ad budgets may be smaller but user growth potential is higher. OpenAI says ads are labeled and separated from answers and do not influence responses, a stance that may be aimed at preserving trust as the format scales. The company also plans to broaden formats, objectives, buying options and measurement, and says it is studying how ads can fit naturally into the ChatGPT experience, which may shape how intrusive the ads become as more markets come online.