The advertising landscape just shifted again, and this time it’s one we need to take seriously.
OpenAI has rolled out a self-serve Ads Manager for ChatGPT, complete with CPC bidding, conversion tracking via pixel and Conversions API, and no minimum spend; opening up what was previously a $25,000 per month walled-off pilot to businesses of all sizes, including here in Australia.
This isn’t just another beta to monitor from the sidelines. That’s been and gone now.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Not everyone is seeing the ads platform available just yet. In fact, most are still being connected to a “coming soon” form to fill out. So yes, it’s available today, but not quite. We’ll keep you connected to the developments here and what to do now to take advantage as early as possible.
The managed pilot that ran earlier this year included heavyweights like Best Buy, Target, and Williams-Sonoma.
The platform generated $100 million in revenue in its first six weeks alone, and OpenAI is targeting $2.5 billion in ad revenue for 2026. Advertisers are liking it so far, and it seems clear that there will be more growth to come beyond this financial year.
Conversational AI is likely becoming a legitimate performance channel. If you’re not in immediately, everyone should at least be considering how they can take advantage of this in the near future.
What makes this fundamentally different from Google or Meta is the depth of intent. Users aren’t scrolling a feed or typing two-word queries; they’re having detailed conversations about what to buy, who to hire, or which product fits their budget.
That puts ads closer to the moment of decision than anything we’ve had before. My advice to clients and peers: treat this like Google Ads in 2002 or Facebook Ads in 2007—the early-mover economics won’t last. Start testing now, build your creative playbook for conversational contexts, and begin thinking about Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) alongside your SEO strategy.
For those eager to read more, see the useful resources below. Otherwise, get in touch with our team to discuss the opportunity that lies ahead.
If you haven’t seen the ChatGPT Ad Previews already, you can get a sneak peak on the format below:
