Guides

ChatGPT Ads: how ads in ChatGPT work and how to run them

ChatGPT Ads place sponsored chat cards inside ChatGPT answers. This guide explains what the ads look like, how campaigns are structured, and how to manage them through OpenAI Ads Manager, the Advertiser API or an AI client connected to Ads Connector.

What ChatGPT ads look like

Ads in ChatGPT appear inside answers as chat cards. Each card has a title of 3 to 50 characters, a body of up to 100 characters, a square image and a target URL that people visit when they click.

Because the space is small, the copy has to be direct: a clear offer in the title, one supporting detail in the body and an image that reads well at small sizes.

How ChatGPT Ads campaigns are structured

The hierarchy is campaign → ad group → ad. Campaigns have a lifetime spend limit, ad groups organize targeting, and ads are the chat cards themselves. Billing is per click or per impression.

You can manage all of this in OpenAI Ads Manager, or programmatically through the Advertiser API using an API key.

OpenAI Ads Manager vs the Advertiser API

Ads Manager is the web interface for creating and reviewing campaigns by hand. The Advertiser API exposes the same objects to software, which is useful when you want reports pulled automatically or campaigns created from a script or an AI assistant.

Ads Connector uses the Advertiser API. You paste your OpenAI Advertiser API key once on ads-connector.com, and your AI client can then work with ChatGPT Ads directly.

How to run ChatGPT ads from Claude or Codex

Once the key is connected, the ChatGPT Ads tools cover chat card campaigns, ad groups, ads, geo lookup for location targeting and insights. As with every platform in Ads Connector, new items are created paused and launching or raising budgets needs your confirmation.

Sign in at ads-connector.com and add your OpenAI Advertiser API key.
Add https://ads-connector.com/mcp to Claude, Claude Code, Codex, ChatGPT, Cursor or Gemini CLI.
Ask: Create a paused ChatGPT Ads campaign for our project management app with one ad group targeting the United States.
Ask: Write three chat card variations with titles under 50 characters and bodies under 100 characters.
Ask: Show clicks, impressions and spend by ad for the last 7 days.

Compare ChatGPT Ads with Google and Meta

The same connection includes Google Ads, Meta Ads and Google Analytics 4. That makes it easier to test a new channel: run a small ChatGPT Ads campaign, then ask your assistant to compare its clicks and on-site behavior in GA4 with your existing Search and social campaigns.

FAQ

What are ChatGPT ads?

They are sponsored chat cards shown inside ChatGPT answers. Each card has a short title, a short body, a square image and a link to the advertiser's site.

What do ChatGPT ads look like?

A chat card with a title of 3 to 50 characters, a body of up to 100 characters, a square image and a target URL.

What is the ChatGPT Ads Manager?

OpenAI Ads Manager is the web interface where advertisers create campaigns, ad groups and chat card ads and review results. The same objects are available through the Advertiser API.

How are ChatGPT ads billed?

Billing is per click or per impression, and each campaign has a lifetime spend limit.

Can I manage ChatGPT ads from Claude?

Yes. Connect your Advertiser API key on ads-connector.com and add https://ads-connector.com/mcp to Claude. New campaigns are created paused and launching needs your confirmation.

How much does Ads Connector cost?

$50 per month. Your ad spend on ChatGPT Ads is billed separately by OpenAI.