OpenAI has introduced new advertising tools and begun testing company-sponsored chatbot agents within ChatGPT. The aim is to let advertisers establish direct, conversational engagement with users and then route those users to the sponsor’s website after the interaction.
Sponsored Agents: how they work and where they’re being tested
The so-called Sponsored Agents feature allows users to initiate a conversation with a company chatbot directly from an ad. OpenAI emphasized that these agents will be clearly labeled so they are distinct from ChatGPT’s native responses and from the user’s existing conversation thread. The feature is currently being trialed with a limited group of U.S.-based advertisers.
ChatGPT Ads Manager: building campaigns via natural language
OpenAI also unveiled the ChatGPT Ads Manager, a tool that enables advertisers to create, modify, and analyze campaigns using natural-language instructions. The manager can construct an entire ad structure, run performance analyses, and recommend optimizations based on a single webpage or a basic campaign plan.
The Ads Manager generates text and image suggestions tailored to the advertiser’s landing page and chosen campaign objectives. An optional AI-driven text-customization feature can adapt existing headlines and descriptions to the conversational context and automatically translate copy into the user’s preferred language.
Partners and availability
OpenAI named HubSpot as its first CRM partner and Shopify as its e-commerce partner. The company said the Shopify app will be available internationally starting September 23, 2024, in markets where the ChatGPT Ads service operates.
Why this matters
These additions show OpenAI expanding into AI-powered advertising and positioning ChatGPT not only as an information and productivity tool but also as a direct advertising medium. Sponsored Agents and natural-language campaign management could change how users interact with brands on conversational platforms.
Source and editing
The report is based on Reuters reporting. An AI assistant contributed to preparing the article; a journalist edited and verified the final content.
