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OpenAI expands ChatGPT advertising and faces tracking scrutiny
OpenAI is rapidly expanding its advertising ecosystem, with ChatGPT Ads reaching an annualized revenue rate of $1 billion within 200 days of launch. The platform is scaling internationally, with availability in over 40 countries, including 31 European nations. Key strategic partnerships have been established with HubSpot as its first CRM partner and Shopify as its first e-commerce partner.
To enhance user engagement, OpenAI is testing Sponsored Agents, which allow users to interact with brand-specific AI agents following an advertisement. The company is also improving its infrastructure through an Ads Manager plugin and expanded targeting and reporting capabilities.
However, the advertising model has drawn scrutiny from cybersecurity researchers. An analysis by researcher Buchodi revealed the use of a cross-site tracking cookie, named '__obi', which can link user activity on external merchant websites to their personal ChatGPT accounts. The cookie reportedly collects data such as hashed emails, names, and plaintext location data like postal codes. OpenAI has noted that these cookies are listed under its Analytics section to help understand service performance.
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What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] OpenAI has partnered with HubSpot as its first CRM partner for ChatGPT Ads and Shopify as its first e-commerce partner. www.info-lux.com · innovations.fr · www.wirtualnemedia.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] ChatGPT Ads are available in over 40 countries, including 31 European nations. www.tomshw.it · www.plovdiv24.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ChatGPT advertising business has reached an annualized revenue rate of $1 billion. www.tomshw.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] OpenAI reached a $1 billion annualized revenue rate for ChatGPT ads within 200 days of launch. www.tomshw.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] A cross-site tracking cookie named '__obi' links user activity on external merchant websites to their personal ChatGPT accounts. borncity.com · www.drweb.de · uk.news.yahoo.com · www.24matins.fr
- [● 4 SOURCES] OpenAI is testing Sponsored Agents in the US, allowing users to have separate, labeled conversations with brand-specific agents after clicking an ad. www.info-lux.com · www.plovdiv24.bg · www.wirtualnemedia.pl · www.tomshw.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] The '__obi' cookie collects data such as hashed emails, names, and plaintext location data like postal codes. borncity.com · www.drweb.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] OpenAI's ChatGPT desktop app now supports Google Chrome extensions. www.generation-nt.com