People checking ChatGPT’s responses see references to advertisements in the source of the page. One line reads: “Responding to a user’s query uses the following additional context for the ads shown to the user.” The reference appears even if no ad is displayed.
Driving news. Digital Marketer Glenn Gabe first flagged the issue to X after seeing ad-related language in ChatGPT’s source code. Some have since replicated it when testing commercial questions like auto insurance.
Why do we care. Ads on ChatGPT have been talked about for weeks. This piece of code showed signs that ChatGPT ads are moving from concept to near launch, creating a new, highly targeted advertising channel. The presence of an ad concept in the system suggests that targeting and relevance have been checked, which favors early advertisers.
With limited inventory and ads that may be integrated into chat responses rather than displayed as banners, this could be a premium, high-impact virtual environment that competes directly with organic responses.
Between the lines. The ads are invisible, but the mind seems live. That suggests that OpenAI may already be testing ad eligibility, compression rules for paid categories, or internal triggers before a wider release.
Context. OpenAI confirmed in January that ads are coming to ChatGPT for some users. The company said the ads will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and early indications suggest they won’t be cheap.
Bottom line. ChatGPT may not serve ads yet – but the infrastructure is already there.
Celebrate deeply. Glenn Gabe’s spot code showing that ChatGPT ads are around the corner.
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