ChatGPT Tracks Free Users for Ads by Default

Source: The Decoder Raw: raw/rss/2026-05-02-the-decoder-chatgpt-now-tracks-users-for-ads-by-default-as-openai-l.md URL: https://the-decoder.com/chatgpt-now-tracks-users-for-ads-by-default-as-openai-looks-for-new-revenue/ Date: 2026-05-02 Tier: Industry — business model

TL;DR

OpenAI turned on marketing cookies by default for free ChatGPT users in countries where ads are running. Active by default for free accounts; paid subscribers excluded. User-disable in account settings.

Why it matters

OpenAI's revenue mix is shifting. The unit-economics implication: free users now subsidize the model surcharge through behavioral data and ad inventory. Pairs structurally with SemiAnalysis "AI lab pricing power persists" (05-01) — the pricing power is real, but the revenue model is broadening from subscription to subscription + ads. Compare with Anthropic's metering of Opus access (Claude for Creative Work, 04-29) — different lab, different model, same pressure: monetize differently rather than commoditize the model.