March 2, 2026 — Criteo announced it has become the first advertising technology partner to integrate with OpenAI’s ChatGPT advertising pilot, enabling its approximately 17,000 advertisers to access ad placements programmatically in ChatGPT’s Free and Go tiers in the United States. ChatGPT advertising launches with Criteo as the first major ad-tech partner at $60 CPM.[1] The integration began rolling out in the weeks following the announcement, marking a shift from OpenAI’s prior direct-sales model.
Criteo, which activates more than $4 billion in annual media spend globally, detailed the partnership in a press release, stating the move advances advertising in AI experiences. Ads first appeared in ChatGPT on February 9, 2026, initially through OpenAI’s beta pilot requiring a $200,000 minimum commitment.
“This integration with OpenAI represents an exciting step forward in advancing advertising in an emerging AI experience,” said Michael Komasinski, Chief Executive Officer of Criteo. “Through this pilot, we are helping shape how advertising can support discovery and consideration within Large Language Model (LLM) platforms, grounded in experiences that are additive, relevant, and built on user trust.”
Pricing and Accessibility
Reports confirm OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads at approximately $60 CPM (cost per thousand impressions), about three times typical Meta rates and comparable to premium video platforms. ChatGPT advertising launches with Criteo as the first major ad-tech partner at $60 CPM.[1] Criteo reportedly lowers entry barriers for its clients with $50,000 to $100,000 minimums, facilitating quicker onboarding for brands, according to Ad Age.
Performance Insights
Aggregated data from Criteo’s U.S. clients across 500 retailers in February 2026 shows users referred from LLM platforms like ChatGPT convert at 1.5 times the rate of traditional referral sources. ChatGPT advertising launches with Criteo as the first major ad-tech partner at $60 CPM.[1] This positions ChatGPT as a high-intent channel for performance advertising, particularly for AI-assisted shopping.
Industry Coverage and Background
The announcement garnered coverage from outlets including Adweek, PPC Land, and Digiday, highlighting Criteo’s pitch deck to advertisers. Early pilot participants included brands like Target and Ford. ChatGPT advertising launches with Criteo as the first major ad-tech partner at $60 CPM.[1] No direct confirmation from OpenAI’s channels on the Criteo partnership was noted, though widely reported via Criteo’s PR Newswire distribution.
ChatGPT advertising launches with Criteo as the first major ad-tech partner at $60 CPM.[1] Reporting remains basic, focusing on impressions and clicks, with limited attribution details.