OpenAI disables ad‑like app promotions in ChatGPT after test phase
OpenAI’s latest tweak to ChatGPT has quietly pulled the plug on a feature that many users mistook for advertising. During a brief rollout, the chat interface began popping up prompts that highlighted third‑party applications, positioning them as part of the conversation rather than as separate listings. The move sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with some users calling the notices “ad‑like” and questioning whether the model was being used to promote external services.
After a single complaint surfaced on X, an OpenAI data engineer stepped in, acknowledging the feedback and confirming that the experiment had been halted. The shift follows an October announcement that the company intended to “suggest apps when they're relevant to the conversation.” Understanding how that plan unfolded—and why it was rolled back—requires hearing from the people who were in the room when the decision was made.
An unnamed company spokesperson told TechCrunch last week that these messages were part of OpenAI's tests for surfacing apps in ChatGPT, pointing to plans announced in October to "suggest apps when they're relevant to the conversation." In response to one complaint on X, OpenAI data engineer Daniel McAuley said the promotional messages are not ads because "there's no financial component," but acknowledged that the "lack of relevancy makes it a bad/confusing experience." In another message, McAuley said the messages were designed to boost the organic discovery of partner apps within ChatGPT, which in turn entice users to keep using the chatbot instead of switching over to another app.
OpenAI has now pulled the plug on the ad‑like prompts that appeared in ChatGPT. Users noticed ads. The move follows a wave of user complaints that the chatbot was behaving like a billboard.
Mark Chen, the company’s chief research officer, posted on X that the “suggestion” feature has been disabled while the team works on a better experience. An unnamed spokesperson told TechCrunch the messages were part of a test to surface apps when they fit the conversation, echoing October’s announced plan to suggest relevant tools. Companies such as Peloton and Target were among those shown, raising questions about the line between recommendation and advertisement.
OpenAI data engineer Daniel responded to a specific X complaint, indicating the issue was being examined. It remains unclear how OpenAI will balance app discovery with user expectations moving forward, or whether similar tests will reappear in a different form. For now, the promotional prompts are gone, and the platform returns to a cleaner interaction.
Further Reading
- OpenAI says it’s turned off app suggestions that look like ads - TechCrunch
- OpenAI insists ChatGPT ‘ads’ weren’t ads - Search Engine Land
- OpenAI Disables Ad-Like App Suggestions After User Backlash - TechBuzz
- OpenAI rolls back ChatGPT suggestions after users flag ad-like prompts - Moneycontrol
- OpenAI turns off app-like suggestions after user backlash - The News International (Jang)
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Common Questions Answered
Why did OpenAI disable the ad‑like app promotion feature in ChatGPT?
OpenAI pulled the plug on the feature after a wave of user complaints that the prompts behaved like billboards and were confusing. The company said the "suggestion" feature was disabled while they work on a better experience for surfacing apps.
What did OpenAI data engineer Daniel McAuley say about the promotional messages?
Daniel McAuley clarified that the messages were not ads because there was no financial component involved. He also admitted that the lack of relevance made the experience bad and confusing for users.
How did Mark Chen, OpenAI's chief research officer, respond to the backlash on X?
Mark Chen posted on X that the app suggestion feature had been disabled pending improvements. He acknowledged the feedback and indicated the team is working on a more relevant and less intrusive implementation.
What was the original purpose of the test that surfaced third‑party apps in ChatGPT conversations?
The test aimed to surface relevant third‑party applications within the chat when they fit the conversation, as announced in October. An unnamed company spokesperson told TechCrunch the messages were part of these surfacing tests.
Did the ad‑like prompts in ChatGPT involve any financial transactions?
According to OpenAI, the promotional prompts did not involve any financial component, which is why they were not classified as ads. However, users still perceived them as advertising due to their placement and lack of relevance.