To prepare for the anticipated 2026 launch of official ChatGPT advertising, businesses must understand that the platform is moving toward “intent-based monetisation”, where recommendations are woven naturally into conversations rather than appearing as disruptive banners.
While OpenAI temporarily paused ad testing in December 2025 under a “code red” to improve quality and personalization, they are actively hiring veterans from Meta and Google to build a sophisticated technical infrastructure.
This represents a fundamental shift from traditional search, and the following strategies are essential for staying ahead of the curve.
1. Mastering LLM-Native Ad Strategies
The future of ChatGPT ads lies in LLM-native advertising, where the AI naturally suggests products based on the context of a 10-minute conversation rather than a single keyword.
Contextual Recommendations: If a user asks for marathon training tips, the AI might suggest a specific brand of hydration packs or a local running clinic.
Generative Ads: OpenAI is exploring “generative ads,” where ChatGPT writes the ad itself, choosing specific product features to highlight to increase conversion rates based on the user’s personality.
Affiliate Models: CEO Sam Altman has suggested an affiliate-based model, potentially charging around a 2% fee for purchases made through “Deep Research” discoveries.
2. Immediate Tactical Preparation
You do not have to wait for the 2026 rollout to influence how AI perceives your brand. Proactive marketers are using Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to ensure they are cited in current AI responses.
Prioritise Bing: Because ChatGPT uses Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to browse the web via Bing, ranking at the top of Bing makes your site 63% more likely to be used as a source for the same query.
Entity Name-Dropping: AI models use “entity references” to connect dots; you must explicitly mention your location, niche, and the specific tools you use so the AI can anchor your brand to real-world concepts.
Answer the “2 AM Query”: Content should be written with extreme clarity, providing direct, skimmable answers that look like they are already responding to a chatbot prompt.
3. Using AI to Build Your Creative Assets
Current tools like ChatGPT-4o and Claude are already being used to generate professional-grade ad graphics for other platforms, which serves as vital practice for the upcoming AI ad era.
Prompt Engineering for Visuals: Using a “pro plan” on Claude to generate highly detailed image prompts for ChatGPT can result in professional advertisements in under 30 minutes.
Designing for Context: You can prompt the AI for specific styles—such as “elegant” for wedding services or “playful” for children’s parties—to match the tone of the user’s intent.
Hybrid Content: Experts suggest leaving space in AI-generated graphics to manually add logos or discount codes in tools like Canva to avoid the text-spacing errors that AI sometimes makes.
4. Exploring the Third-Party GPT Store
While waiting for official OpenAI tools, you can already “run ads” in Custom GPTs using platforms like Hintloop.
Niche Targeting: You can run campaigns in popular GPTs, such as recipe finders or image generators, reaching users when they are in “research mode”.
Cost Efficiency: These platforms allow you to set a CPM (cost per 1,000 impressions) with a minimum of $5, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional influencer marketing.
The businesses that thrive in 2026 will be those that have spent 2025 building AI-readable structured data and high-authority backlinks, ensuring that when the “gale” of AI advertising finally arrives, their brand is already the AI’s most trusted recommendation.
Understanding LLM ads is like watching a chef prepare a meal; instead of just seeing a finished menu (a banner ad), you are influencing which ingredients (your brand) the chef chooses to use in the final dish (the AI’s response).
