ChatGPT Ads Are Coming — And For Many Users, That’s a Dealbreaker

By Mohit Singhania | June 25, 2025 | TechMasala.in

There’s a knot in my stomach, and not the “I skipped breakfast” kind.

I’ve used ChatGPT for everything — writing YouTube scripts, planning my blog calendar, fixing awkward emails, even just talking to someone when I couldn’t sleep. It felt like this rare space on the internet where I wasn’t being tracked, targeted, or sold to.

And now?

Sam Altman just hinted that ads are coming to ChatGPT. Real ads. Inside the tool I’ve been pouring my thoughts into.

On OpenAI’s brand-new podcast [Listen to Episode 1 of the OpenAI Podcast], he literally said:

“I’m not totally against it… I think ads on Instagram are kinda cool. I’ve bought a bunch of stuff from them.”

Wait… what?

Just last year, Altman said ads were a “last resort”. Now we’re talking Instagram vibes?

Why Is OpenAI Even Doing This?

The reason is no secret. OpenAI is burning through $3–4 billion a year to keep ChatGPT running. Even with a projected $12.7 billion revenue goal and partnerships with Microsoft, Nvidia, and even the U.S. Department of Defense — the math is brutal.(Source: Business Today)

So yes, monetization pressure is mounting. And ads? Well, ads make money.

Altman was clear that no ad product exists yet, but the idea is definitely on the table now. This isn’t “maybe one day.” This is “we’re figuring it out.”

Let’s not pretend this is a small shift. This could change the entire vibe of ChatGPT.

What Kind of Ads Are We Actually Talking About?

Altman promised they wouldn’t “tamper with the model’s output” just to please advertisers. His words:

“If we started modifying the stream that comes back from the LLM in exchange for who is paying us more… that would feel really bad. That’s a trust-destroying moment.”

And that’s comforting… until you realize what is on the table:

• Affiliate links inside answers
• Sidebar or footer ads next to chats
• Sponsored plug-ins or GPTs
• “Transactional models” — whatever that means

Look, I get it. Not all ads are evil. But the second you sneak even one inside the space that was supposed to be ad-free, the vibe changes. Forever.

The Internet Reacted: Real People, Real Frustration

When the news broke, the r/OpenAI and r/ChatGPT communities didn’t hold back. The vibe wasn’t just “annoyed.” It was disappointed, tired, and honestly… kind of heartbroken.

Here’s what users are saying:

“I’ll cancel and figure out which open source model works on my system. Ads are a hard stop for me. HARD stop.” – u/fkennend1

“If I’m paying, I don’t want to see ads. Period.” – u/UnknownEssence

“Just increase the subscription. People don’t want ads. Why don’t companies listen?” – u/QuantumDorito

“ChatGPT was one of the only tools that felt clean. No noise. No push. Just you and the AI.” — a sentiment shared by many

That last one hit me. Because it’s exactly how I feel too. This wasn’t just another app — it was a quiet, focused space in the chaos of the internet. And now? It might turn into just another storefront.

Will the ₹1999/Month Plan Save You?

Here in India, ChatGPT Plus costs ₹1999/month. Will paying that keep your feed clean?

Maybe. For now.

But if this goes the way streaming platforms did (YouTube, Spotify, Netflix…), here’s what we’re probably heading toward:

• Free Plan = Ad invasion
• Plus Plan = Mostly clean… until it’s not
• “Ultra Clean Plan” in 2026 = ₹3499/month for zero ads + GPT-5

It’s a classic playbook. And we’ve all seen how that movie ends.

If you’re wondering whether ChatGPT Plus in India is actually worth that ₹1999/month, I did a full breakdown here — and honestly, it’s more complicated than it looks.

My Honest Take (This Hurts)

I didn’t expect this to hit me this hard.

But it does.

Because ChatGPT wasn’t just a tool. It was a quiet space — a judgment-free zone where ideas could form, thoughts could wander, and there was no one trying to sell me vitamin gummies or drop-shipping courses.

Now, the second I see a link tagged “sponsored,” that trust? Gone.

It’s not about greed. It’s about keeping the one space on the internet that still feels like mine.

If that goes, what’s left?

Masala Meter

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