In the once-private corridors of digital conversations with ChatGPT, unexpected suggestions have begun to whisper like ads.
From Assistant to Promoter?
The users of ChatGPT are irked and are voicing their frustration as the AI language model quietly began testing app suggestions inside chats over the weekend—an experiment that was visible to some $200-a-month Pro subscribers.
While it’s not the very first time that the platform is suggesting anything, but the concern now is the fear of start of ads in ChatGPT. This is especially not going well with the users as they have been using it for the uninterrupted AI assistance.
These users were quick to take the matter online and the backlash of the same came in swift as well.
Kol Tregaskes, for instance, shared an image showing a ChatGPT Pro subscription recommending a “Find a fitness class” suggestion via Peloton—despite the user never asking about it. For subscribers paying premium prices, the unexpected appearance of such prompts feels intrusive, leading many to question OpenAI’s direction.
ChatGPT has started posting ads on Pro accounts.
I hope this is just testing/a mistake, else it’s an instant unsubscribe from me. On the flipside, the ad seems completely unrelated to the chat.@The same don’t do it! pic.twitter.com/PCnnhvzyC5
— Kol Tregaskes (@koltregaskes) December 1, 2025
Leak, Backlash, and Uncertainty as ChatGPT’s Ad Experiments Stir Paid Users
The timing is notable. Just days before the screenshots emerged, a leak revealed hidden code in ChatGPT’s Android app referencing an “ads feature,” “bazaar content,” “search ad,” and “search ads carousel.” While some argue that ads in the Free tier might be expected, few believe that users shelling out $200 per month—or even $20 for ChatGPT Plus—should encounter promotional content.
Reddit users were quick to voice their displeasure. One commented, “The ads thing is pretty b******t. I might just cancel my Pro subscription.” Another noted seeing ads for several days, suggesting the rollout may currently be region-specific. Others clarified that what is appearing are technically app connection suggestions—such as Canva or Peloton—but not full-fledged ads. Still, many subscribers perceive any unsolicited content promoting a company as an advertisement, raising alarms about the potential expansion of such features.
Though OpenAI has not yet officially commented on the situation, there are still unclear clouds on if, how and when will a broader ad rollout might occur. While the current test involves limited app suggestions, the incident highlights the tension between monetization and user trust, particularly among those paying for premium experiences.
For now, users tread cautiously, wary that their once-trusted digital companion may soon echo the bustle of a marketplace. What unfolds in the OpenAI and ChatGPT space is a story we can only wait and watch. Until then…
Summary
ChatGPT Pro users are frustrated as OpenAI quietly tested app suggestions resembling ads, including irrelevant prompts like Peloton, sparking concerns about future advertising. Despite leaks hinting at an “ads feature,” paid subscribers expect uninterrupted AI service. The backlash online highlights tensions between monetization and trust, leaving users cautious as the platform’s next moves remain uncertain in the evolving AI landscape.
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