OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads business hits $1 billion run rate as Europe gets self-serve access

OpenAI’s ads business is now running at a $1 billion annualised run rate, just six months after launch.

That figure comes from multiplying current monthly ad revenue by 12, so it’s a snapshot of where things stand today rather than money already booked over a full year. 

“We’re at the beginning of a new chapter for advertising, with AI creating entirely new ways for businesses and people to discover one another,” said Dave Dugan, vp of global ad solutions. “Reaching $1 billion in ARR in under 200 days shows the scale of the opportunity ahead.”

The milestone comes as OpenAI pushes into Europe with the next stage of its rollout of ads in the ChatGPT app. They were launched across 31 markets there earlier this month, available through select agency partners early. Today (August 31) that changes. Beta self-serve access to Ads Manager opens directly to eligible advertisers across those same markets, meaning startups, SMBs and larger brands can build and manage campaigns on the app without going through an agency first. Granted, agency and tech partners stay in the mix too, for marketers who’d rather buy that way.

“Expanding self-serve access across European markets opens that opportunity to businesses of every size — from startups building their first campaign to global brands looking for new ways to grow,” said Dugan.