New Delhi, Aug. 28 -- OpenAI is bringing advertising to ChatGPT in India, introducing a new digital advertising model in a market already dominated by search, social media and short-form video.

Ads can appear for eligible adult users on ChatGPT's Free and Go plans, while Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu remain ad-free. Self-service access to ChatGPT Ads Manager in India is expected to open on September 4, allowing businesses to create and manage campaigns directly. OpenAI's campaign documentation lists a minimum daily campaign budget of Rs.725 for India.

But the bigger story is not simply that ChatGPT now carries ads. It is the kind of signal OpenAI wants advertisers to buy.

Traditional search advertising is largely built around...