OpenAI has stopped accepting advertisements on ChatGPT for image and audio generation tools that compete with its own products. This policy change, which was not previously disclosed, affects companies like Adobe, which lost the ability to promote its Firefly image generator.
The restriction follows the release of ChatGPT Images 2.5 and the voice-focused ChatGPT Live. Beyond paid ads, the platform has also begun limiting outbound referral links for third-party image editors. Currently, video-related advertising remains permitted on the service.
OpenAI aims to reach $100 billion in annual advertising revenue by 2030, with projections of $2.5 billion for the current year. The company expects this figure to grow to $11 billion in 2027, $25 billion in 2028, and $53 billion in 2029.
The advertising platform shows high concentration, with the top five advertisers accounting for nearly 17 percent of global impressions. In June, the number of active advertisers on the platform rose from 2,585 to 3,770 within a single week.
