OpenAI opens self-serve ChatGPT Ads Manager to small businesses, scraps $50,000 minimum, expands U.S. targeting to state, DMA, ZIP
OpenAI scrapped the 50,000 dollar minimum spend on its self-serve ChatGPT Ads Manager in May 2026, opening it to small businesses. U.S. targeting expanded from country-level to state, DMA, and ZIP. CPC and CPM bidding with daily or lifetime budgets. Source: Axios, OpenAI
OpenAI in May 2026 removed the 50,000 dollar minimum spend on its self-serve ChatGPT Ads Manager, opening the platform to small businesses, startups, and mid-market advertisers that had been priced out by the earlier threshold. The update expands U.S. geo controls from country-level only to state, designated market area, and ZIP code. Advertisers can choose between CPC and CPM bidding and set either daily or lifetime budgets directly inside the Ads Manager interface, which OpenAI says will let multi-location retailers, regional service brands, and local businesses treat ChatGPT as a viable media channel. Ads run in clearly labeled, subtly tinted boxes at the bottom of AI responses. Matching is contextual: based on the current conversation, prior chat history, and previous ad interactions, rather than traditional keyword targeting. Sources: Axios, OpenAI newsroom.