OpenAI has temporarily disabled certain ChatGPT app recommendations that users said resembled advertisements. The move follows criticism from paying subscribers who questioned why promotional messages appeared in the platform, despite company statements maintaining that no advertising tests are currently active. Executives acknowledged the feedback and promised transparency in future updates.
The controversy began when users reported seeing app suggestions linked to companies such as Peloton and Target within ChatGPT conversations. Screenshots circulated widely on social media, leading to speculation that OpenAI had quietly introduced an advertising trial. However, the company clarified that these were experimental app recommendations, not paid promotions or sponsored content.
Chief Research Officer Mark Chen admitted that the recommendations “fell short” of user expectations and said the team quickly turned off the feature. He emphasized that OpenAI is working to improve how ChatGPT surfaces useful tools built on its new app platform. The system had been designed to help users discover apps within ChatGPT’s ecosystem, not promote commercial brands.
In separate posts, ChatGPT head Nick Turley addressed circulating rumors and reaffirmed that there are “no live tests for ads” inside the chatbot. He added that OpenAI would take a thoughtful, privacy-first approach if it ever decides to explore advertising. “People trust ChatGPT, and anything we do will need to respect that trust,” Turley stated.
OpenAI’s leadership has recently faced growing scrutiny as it expands ChatGPT’s platform capabilities. The introduction of third-party apps in October aimed to make the chatbot more versatile and developer-friendly. However, the blurred line between app recommendations and promotions has reignited debates about monetization within generative AI platforms.
The issue also comes amid internal changes at OpenAI, following Fidji Simo’s appointment as CEO of Applications earlier this year. Industry watchers initially believed her experience at Facebook and Instacart could lead to a new advertising business unit. Yet, OpenAI’s recent actions suggest that advertising plans are now taking a back seat to overall product quality.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, CEO Sam Altman recently issued a “code red” directive to focus resources on improving ChatGPT’s reliability and factual accuracy. The renewed emphasis reflects OpenAI’s urgency to maintain its lead as Google and Anthropic ramp up competition in consumer AI. Advertising experiments, if any, appear paused indefinitely.
For now, OpenAI says it will introduce better user controls, allowing subscribers to customize their ChatGPT experience and filter out unwanted suggestions. The company reiterated its commitment to user trust, assuring that any future enhancements will prioritize helpfulness and transparency over monetization.
