The story in brief
- 1OpenAI announced on 21 October 2026 that it is extending ChatGPT advertising to Pakistan and 25 other countries, bringing the total to 89 markets.
- 2Ads appear only on the Free and Go plans. Plus, Pro and Enterprise users do not see them.
- 3Advertisers in the new markets can buy through technology partners or OpenAI’s self-service Ads Manager.
- 4The reports we read give no pricing, ad formats, minimum spend or Pakistan start date, so treat it as a channel to test, not a plan to build on.
- 5OpenAI says more than 100,000 advertisers have run campaigns since testing began in the US; that figure is OpenAI’s own and not independently verified.
OpenAI announced on 21 October 2026 that it is extending ChatGPT advertising to Pakistan and 25 other countries, bringing the total to 89 markets. Ads appear only on the Free and Go plans, and advertisers can buy through technology partners or OpenAI's self-service Ads Manager. The reports we read give no pricing, formats or start date for Pakistan.
What OpenAI announced
According to Profit by Pakistan Today and Bloom Pakistan:
- Where: Pakistan is among the new markets, which bring the total to 89. Outlets differ on whether the number of new countries is 25 or 26 besides Pakistan, so treat the exact count as approximate.
- Who sees ads: only users on the Free and Go plans. Plus, Pro and Enterprise subscribers do not.
- How to buy: advertisers in the new markets can reach ChatGPT through technology partners or OpenAI's Ads Manager. The reports do not say whether the Ads Manager has eligibility requirements.
- Scale, per OpenAI: an annualised advertising revenue run rate of $1 billion as of August, and more than 100,000 advertisers since US testing began. Neither figure is independently verified.
What the reports do not say
The articles give no pricing, minimum spend, ad formats or targeting options, and no launch date for Pakistan. Bloom Pakistan notes that OpenAI is also testing AI-powered ad tools and business-sponsored AI agents, but only with selected US advertisers, so that does not apply to Pakistan.
What it means for businesses
For a Pakistani business, ChatGPT ads are a new paid channel, not a replacement for what already works.
- Test small. Use a separate budget and a separate tracking tag, so you can compare cost per enquiry with Google Ads, Meta and your organic traffic.
- Know the audience. Ads reach Free and Go users only. Paying subscribers, who may include many professionals, will not see them.
- Wait for the details. Without published formats, prices or a start date, there is nothing yet to optimise. Check Ads Manager availability for your account before you plan a campaign.
- Do not neglect search. People still ask Google first for most local services, and a well-built page can be found there and cited by AI tools without paid spend.
- Make the landing page ready. Whatever the channel, the page needs a clear answer, proof and a contact route, such as WhatsApp.
Our Google Ads and SEO services cover how we set up tracking and landing pages, and you can ask us directly if you want a test planned.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT ads are expanding to Pakistan and 25 other countries. The reports we read do not give a start date for Pakistan, so check whether ads are live before you plan around them.
Only people on the Free and Go plans. Plus, Pro and Enterprise subscribers do not see ads.
According to the reports, through OpenAI’s self-service Ads Manager or through technology partners. The reports do not describe ad formats, pricing or eligibility rules.
No. Treat it as a test with a small, separate budget, track it with its own campaign tags, and compare cost per enquiry with your existing channels before changing anything.
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