Short answer
OpenAI's ad policies (last updated 10 September 2026) cover where ads may appear, what they may promote and how. Gambling, adult content, alcohol, tobacco, political content, recreational drugs, counterfeits and scams are prohibited. Financial, health and legal services are restricted, mostly to the US and approved advertisers. Every ad must be truthful and distinguishable from ChatGPT.
Three layers
| Layer | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Placement | Which conversations ads can appear next to (never sensitive or unsafe chats) |
| Ad content | Which products and services can be advertised |
| Creative and destination | Truthful claims, professional language, no interface imitation, consistent landing pages |
At launch
OpenAI says ads are primarily limited to consumer verticals: lifestyle and household goods, local services, travel and experiences, and digital products or education.
Questions
Where is the full policy?
On openai.com/policies/ad-policies, with a changelog. Check it before each new campaign type.
Facts checked against the sources below on 12 October 2026. Platforms change quickly: if something here no longer matches what you see, tell us and we will update it.
