> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.bushletter.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # ChatGPT uses chats and phone numbers to target ads - URL: https://www.bushletter.com/chatgpt-ads-target-users-by-email-phone-and-chat-content/ - Published: 2026-10-19T21:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T20:59:59.000Z - Description: The ads already run in Australia for Free and Go users, but OpenAI says advertisers do not receive their conversations or personal details. - Author: Bushletter Newsroom - Tags: Marketing, Technology, Australia, OpenAI TLDR OpenAI's ChatGPT ad platform lets advertisers target Free and Go users by email address, phone number and the context of their current conversation. Google is separately testing ads inside AI Mode, where Personal Intelligence can draw on Gmail and Photos data to personalise responses. ## What advertisers can do inside ChatGPT Ads Manager OpenAI launched advertising inside ChatGPT on 9 February 2026, showing sponsored placements to Free and Go users while leaving Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu accounts ad-free.[\[1\]](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001047-ads-in-chatgpt?ref=bushletter.com) The ads appear below responses in the chat interface as sponsored placements that users can identify by their clear labels. ChatGPT's ad system selects placements based on signals including the context and intent of the current conversation, advertiser-provided targeting selections, and, when personalised ads are enabled, signals from past chats and memory.[\[1\]](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001047-ads-in-chatgpt?ref=bushletter.com) The content of what a user types into a prompt can influence which advertisements they see. OpenAI's help centre documentation says advertisers never receive users' chats, chat history, memories, name, email, precise location, IP address or sensitive information such as health, mental health or political topics.[\[1\]](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001047-ads-in-chatgpt?ref=bushletter.com) The ad system uses that data internally to match placements, without passing raw content to buyers. ## How custom audience targeting works in practice Advertisers build custom audiences by uploading CSV or TXT files containing email addresses, phone numbers, hashed versions of either, or Google Advertising IDs, which OpenAI then matches against its user base for campaign-level inclusion, exclusion or bid adjustments.[\[2\]](https://help-lb.openai.com/en/articles/20001346-set-up-custom-audiences-for-your-campaign?ref=bushletter.com) Processing takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes after upload. Inclusion targeting carries a minimum threshold: lists must match at least 25,000 users before they qualify, with 100,000 matched users recommended for best results.[\[2\]](https://help-lb.openai.com/en/articles/20001346-set-up-custom-audiences-for-your-campaign?ref=bushletter.com) 404 Media ran its own test campaigns and found advertisers could target Free and Go users by email address, phone number or a phone's unique identifier.[\[4\]](https://www.404media.co/how-chatgpt-targets-ads-to-you-based-on-your-prompts-phone-number-and-email/?ref=bushletter.com) OpenAI has already launched ChatGPT ads in Australia.[\[5\]](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-ads-expands-southeast-asia-taiwan/?ref=bushletter.com) ## Google's parallel move into AI-generated answers Google has begun testing ads in AI Mode for users who connect apps such as Gmail and Google Photos through Personal Intelligence, reversing its earlier ad-free approach to the experience, Search Engine Land reported.[\[3\]](https://searchengineland.com/google-begins-testing-ads-in-ai-mode-for-users-with-personal-intelligence-enabled-496990?ref=bushletter.com) Google's Personal Intelligence feature in AI Mode can reference a user's Search history and content saved in Search Services History, and connect to Google apps including Gmail and Google Photos to personalise responses.[\[6\]](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/17212611?ref=bushletter.com) KEY TAKEAWAYS 01ChatGPT ads launched for Free and Go users in the United States on 9 February 2026, with Plus and above remaining ad-free. 02Advertisers can upload email addresses, phone numbers or advertising IDs to build custom audience lists inside ChatGPT Ads Manager. 03Custom audiences must reach at least 25,000 matched users before a campaign can use them. 04Ad selection draws on the context and intent of a user's current conversation, per OpenAI's own help centre documentation. 05Google has begun testing ads in AI Mode for users who connect Gmail and Google Photos through Personal Intelligence. SOURCES & CITATIONS 1. [Ads in ChatGPT, OpenAI Help Centre](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001047-ads-in-chatgpt?ref=bushletter.com) 2. [Set up custom audiences for your campaign, OpenAI Help Centre](https://help-lb.openai.com/en/articles/20001346-set-up-custom-audiences-for-your-campaign?ref=bushletter.com) 3. [Google begins testing ads in AI Mode for users with Personal Intelligence enabled, Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/google-begins-testing-ads-in-ai-mode-for-users-with-personal-intelligence-enabled-496990?ref=bushletter.com) 4. [How ChatGPT targets ads to you based on your prompts, phone number and email, 404 Media](https://www.404media.co/how-chatgpt-targets-ads-to-you-based-on-your-prompts-phone-number-and-email/?ref=bushletter.com) 5. [ChatGPT Ads expands to Southeast Asia and Taiwan, OpenAI](https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-ads-expands-southeast-asia-taiwan/?ref=bushletter.com) 6. [AI Mode Personal Intelligence, Google Search Help](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/17212611?ref=bushletter.com) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Does OpenAI share my chat history with advertisers? According to OpenAI's help centre, advertisers never receive users' chats, chat history, memories, name, email, precise location, IP address or sensitive information. OpenAI uses conversation signals internally to select relevant ads without passing raw content to buyers. Which ChatGPT plans show ads? Ads appear for Free and Go plan users. Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu accounts are ad-free, per OpenAI's official documentation. What is the minimum audience size for ChatGPT custom audience targeting? Custom audiences must reach at least 25,000 matched users before a campaign can use them, and OpenAI recommends 100,000. Are ChatGPT ads available in Australia? Yes. OpenAI has launched ChatGPT ads in Australia, so the targeting options and sponsored placements apply to local marketers and free-tier users.