Were you already seeing ads in ChatGPT? OpenAI pulls down a key feature

OpenAI has recently clarified that it has not introduced advertisements on ChatGPT, despite user reports claiming otherwise. The company emphasized that no active testing related to advertisements is currently taking place on the platform, aiming to dispel ongoing misconceptions that have been circulating on social media. However, confusion arose after several users reported seeing unsolicited app recommendations while interacting with ChatGPT. In response to these concerns, OpenAI's Chief Research Officer, Mark Chen, acknowledged that the chatbot had displayed app suggestions and admitted that the company did not manage the situation effectively. He noted that such experiences should be handled with more care, stating, "We fell short. We’ve turned off this kind of suggestion while we improve the model’s precision. We’re also looking at better controls so you can dial this down or off if you don’t find it helpful." In a related statement, Nick Turley, Vice President of OpenAI and head of ChatGPT, reiterated that there are no ongoing tests for advertisements, asserting that any screenshots claiming to show ads are either misleading or fabricated. He expressed concern about the confusion surrounding the ad rumors, promising that if OpenAI decides to explore advertising options, it will adopt a careful approach to maintain user trust. Further complicating matters, an internal memo from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly indicated a "code red" status for ChatGPT. Altman informed staff that the company would be prioritizing enhancements to the chatbot's quality while postponing other initiatives, including potential advertisements and various AI projects. This shift comes as OpenAI faces stiff competition from rivals like Google and Anthropic, with Google’s Gemini 3 model recently outperforming benchmarks, and reports suggesting that OpenAI may soon release its new GPT-5.2 model. As the situation develops, OpenAI is working diligently to navigate user expectations and improve the overall functionality of ChatGPT in a competitive landscape.