OpenAI Eyes $2.5 Billion Ad Revenue in 2026, Targets $100 Billion by 2030

OpenAI is projecting rapid growth in its advertising business, expecting to generate $2.5 billion in ad revenue this year and as much as $100 billion annually by 2030, according to a report by Axios citing sources familiar with investor presentations.

The company has outlined an aggressive growth trajectory, forecasting ad revenue to reach $11 billion in 2027, $25 billion in 2028, and $53 billion by 2029, driven by expectations that its products could attract up to 2.75 billion weekly users by the end of the decade.

Ads Strategy Gains Early Momentum

OpenAI began testing advertisements within ChatGPT earlier this year, targeting users on its free tier and lower-cost subscription plans as part of a broader effort to diversify revenue streams and offset rising AI development costs.

According to a company spokesperson, the initial U.S. pilot surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue within six weeks of launch, with participation from more than 600 advertisers.

Challenging Dominant Ad Players

The move positions OpenAI in direct competition with established digital advertising leaders such as Google and Meta Platforms, whose ad businesses generated $294.69 billion and $196.18 billion in revenue, respectively, in 2025.

As OpenAI expands its user base and integrates ads into conversational interfaces, it is seeking to capture a share of the global advertising market traditionally dominated by search and social media platforms.

Balancing Growth and User Trust

The introduction of ads into ChatGPT has raised concerns among analysts about potential impacts on user experience and trust. However, OpenAI has indicated that early results show minimal disruption, with low ad dismissal rates and no measurable decline in trust metrics.