Ads or Subscriptions? OpenAI May Win Either Way

[bonk]

This strategy opens two parallel revenue paths. On one side, OpenAI can monetize massive usage from free and low-cost Go users who are unlikely to subscribe. On the other, ads may push power users toward premium tiers simply to avoid interruptions—turning advertising into a subtle conversion funnel.

By positioning ads as mission-aligned and optional, OpenAI is signaling that monetization doesn’t have to mean degradation. Whether users accept ads or flee them, the company stands to gain—making advertising not just a revenue stream, but a lever that reshapes how people choose to pay for AI.

[chainsniff]

ads as a conversion funnel is sneaky but also… very tech company behavior