OpenAI is expanding ads in ChatGPT, and one of the first new formats will show visual ads while you're generating images.

The company says it will begin testing the new ad format later this month in the U.S. with an initial group of advertisers.

According to OpenAI, these ads could use images to show product inspiration, how a product is used, or experiences associated with a service, which gives advertisers a more visual way to promote themselves inside ChatGPT.

"Initially, we'll test this new ad format during image generation in ChatGPT. Ads will be clearly labeled, and remain separate from the image being created," OpenAI explained.

OpenAI also reiterated that ads do not influence ChatGPT's answers.

The company says ChatGPT now reaches 1.2 billion people every week, and advertising is becoming another way for OpenAI to make money from users who may not pay for a subscription.

OpenAI is also getting more serious about measuring ChatGPT ads

Alongside the new visual format, OpenAI is adding more tools that allow advertisers to measure whether ChatGPT ads actually lead to purchases or other conversions.

It's integrating with Hightouch, Tealium, and LiveRamp for conversion data, while attribution partners now include AppsFlyer, Adjust, Branch, Triple Whale, Kochava, and several others.

OpenAI is also working with DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science on brand suitability, which is particularly important for ChatGPT because ads appear around conversations rather than a traditional webpage.

The company says its safeguards are designed to prevent ads from appearing in emotionally vulnerable, sensitive, or otherwise unsuitable conversations.

OpenAI also says these independent partners will not get access to private user conversations while evaluating whether its advertising safeguards are working as intended.

For now, the visual ad experiment is limited to the U.S., but OpenAI clearly sees ads becoming a much larger part of ChatGPT as it tries to monetize its 1.2 billion weekly users.

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