How to Create Your First ChatGPT Ad
Short answer: Sign up at ads.openai.com, then build three layers. First a campaign (objective + budget, minimum A$25/day), then an ad group (bid + context hints), then the ad (title, copy, square image, landing page). Set up billing and verification before you submit. Ads are reviewed, and approved ads can go live and start spending.
What is a ChatGPT ad?
A ChatGPT ad is a clearly labelled sponsored card shown below a ChatGPT answer. It has your business name and logo, a short title, a line of copy, an image and a link. ChatGPT doesn't match ads to keywords the way Google does. OpenAI says it looks at the conversation, your landing page, your ad text and your context hints.
Who sees them: people using the free versions of ChatGPT. OpenAI doesn't show ads on Plus, Pro or Business plans, or to users under 18.
Australia: self-serve Ads Manager is available here. The business that advertises and is billed needs to be based in Australia.
Step 1: Set up your Ads Manager account
- Go to ads.openai.com and sign up with the OpenAI login you use for work.
- Enter your website URL so Ads Manager can draft a first ad, or skip that step.
- Set your country, currency and time zone carefully. They can't be changed later.
- In Settings → General, add your logo and brand name. This is what people see on the ad.
Step 2: Create your campaign
- Name it clearly, e.g. "Clicks | Plumbing | Brisbane".
- Choose an objective: Views (pay per 1,000 impressions), Clicks (pay per click) or Conversions. For a first ad, Clicks is the simplest.
- Set a daily budget. The minimum is A$25 per day. Spend averages out over the week, and a single day can reach up to twice your daily amount.
- Locations: new accounts usually start limited to their home country. You can narrow to states, cities or postcodes where that's offered.
Step 3: Set up your ad group, bid and context hints
- Use one service per ad group, e.g. emergency plumbing, renovations or hot water.
- Max bid: for clicks, OpenAI suggests starting around US$3–5. Watch the bid-strength guidance.
- Context hints are short phrases that describe conversations where your ad genuinely helps. They aren't exact keywords and they don't guarantee anything. Be specific. "Plumber" is weak. "Emergency plumber for a Brisbane homeowner with a burst pipe after hours" is much better.
Step 4: Write your ad
| Part | Recommended | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 16–24 characters | 50 |
| Copy | 32–48 characters | 100 |
| Image | Square PNG or JPG | 1200 x 1200 px |
- Make the title short and clear. Use the copy for a different reason to click rather than repeating the title.
- Send people to the page that matches the ad, not your homepage. Add UTM tags so you can see the results in analytics.
- Make sure your landing page loads and doesn't block OpenAI's crawlers.
Step 5: Checks before you spend
- Billing and verification: ads won't deliver without both.
- Review: every ad is reviewed. Once approved, it can go live and start spending, so only submit when you're happy.
- Dates: on your first campaign, start and end dates may not appear until after it's created. Don't publish just to find them.
- Reporting: impressions and clicks refresh about every 15 minutes, but spend can lag 7–8 hours.
Ads are only half the picture. If ChatGPT can't find or verify your business, it won't name you in its answers either. Read why ChatGPT doesn't recommend some businesses and how to fix it.
The honest truth
The platform is brand new and there are no real benchmarks yet. Early reports from advertisers are mixed: some get enquiries, others spend a few hundred dollars and get none. Start small, track leads rather than just clicks, and give it a set test period.
Want to go further? Watch our free 10-minute training.
Rather have it set up for you? Book a call with Billy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I advertise on ChatGPT in Australia?
Yes. OpenAI lists Australia as available for self-serve Ads Manager, as long as the business that advertises and is billed is based in Australia.
What is the minimum budget for ChatGPT ads?
The minimum daily budget is A$25 per campaign. A single day can spend up to twice the daily budget, but a week won't go over seven times it.
Who sees ChatGPT ads?
People using the free versions of ChatGPT. Ads aren't shown on Plus, Pro or Business plans, or to users under 18.
What are context hints in ChatGPT ads?
Short phrases that describe conversations where your ad would genuinely help. They guide relevance, but they aren't exact-match keywords and don't guarantee delivery.
How long can a ChatGPT ad title and copy be?
Titles can be up to 50 characters (16–24 recommended), and copy up to 100 characters (32–48 recommended).
Are ChatGPT ads worth it for a small business?
It's too early to say for sure. The platform is in beta with no benchmarks yet, so run a small, time-boxed test and judge it on real enquiries.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center articles on Ads in ChatGPT, Ads Manager setup, campaigns, ads, availability and the FAQ (checked 31 October 2026). This is a beta, so details may change.