AI Ads: Getting Your Startup in Front of Buyers Inside ChatGPT
More buyers now start their research by asking an AI assistant. ChatGPT Ads let you show up in those conversations. We help startups set up and test them while the channel is still new.
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An early channel with very relevant clicks
When someone asks ChatGPT for help choosing a tool or a service, they have usually already described their problem in detail. Ads that appear in that moment can be unusually relevant. Because the channel is new, there is also less competition than on Google, which can keep costs reasonable.
We have already run ChatGPT Ads for a tech startup in Waterloo. Even with a small budget, the campaign reached a click through rate of around 2.5% on a highly relevant term, which is a strong result for a brand new channel. It is still early and the platform is changing, so we treat AI ads as a test budget alongside proven channels like Google Ads, not a replacement for them.
ChatGPT ads in Canada
OpenAI started showing ads in ChatGPT in Canada in April 2026, alongside Australia and New Zealand. Ads appear below ChatGPT’s answer for logged-in adults on the Free and Go plans. They are labelled as ads and kept separate from the answer itself. Paid plans like Plus don’t see ads.
Since October 2026, Canadian businesses can buy ChatGPT ads themselves through OpenAI’s self-serve Ads Manager, with daily budgets starting around $25. Targeting works on what the conversation is about, not on exact keywords, so the setup and the ad copy look different from Google Ads. The platform is still changing fast, so we check what is open for your account on the first call.
What is included
Readiness check
We look at your offer and audience to see whether AI ads are likely to work for you yet.
Account setup
We set up the ad account, billing and tracking so results show up in GA4.
Prompt and topic research
We map the questions your buyers ask AI assistants and match ads to those topics.
Ad copy
Clear, helpful ad copy written to fit inside a conversation, not interrupt it.
Testing plan
A small, controlled budget with clear success measures before you spend more.
Reporting
Click through rate, cost per click and leads compared with your other channels.
How it usually goes
Check fit
We confirm your product is a good match for conversational search.
Set up
Account, tracking and the first set of topics and ads.
Test
We run a small test budget and compare results with your search campaigns.
Decide
If the numbers are good, we scale. If not, you have spent little to find out.
AI ads are worth testing if you
- Sell software or a service people research before buying
- Already run Google Ads and want to test a new channel
- Have a product that is easier to explain in a conversation than a search ad
- Want to be early on a channel before competitors arrive
- Can set aside a small test budget
2.5% click through rate on ChatGPT Ads
For a tech startup in Waterloo, we tested ChatGPT Ads on a small budget. On a highly relevant term, the ads reached a click through rate of around 2.5%, a strong early result for a brand new channel.
“Thoughtful Marketing Solutions has helped us figure out the most efficient way to market our service.”
Kunal, Owner, Elesier
“Thoughtful Marketing Solutions helped us get our first clients within 2 months of working together.”
Antonette, Owner, A Plus Blood Services
Questions about AI Ads
Who are ChatGPT ads a good fit for?
B2B startups and service businesses whose buyers research a problem in detail before they buy. If your buyers ask ChatGPT for recommendations or comparisons in your space, it is worth a test.
Should AI ads replace Google Ads?
No. For now we see AI ads as a test channel that sits alongside paid search. Google Ads still has far more volume.
Is ChatGPT Ads available in Canada?
Yes. Ads started showing to Canadian ChatGPT users in April 2026, and Canadian businesses can now buy them through OpenAI’s self-serve Ads Manager. Formats and rules are still changing, so we check what is open for your account during the first call.
How much budget do we need?
A small test budget is usually enough to learn whether the channel works for you. We will suggest a number based on your market.
Related services
Google Ads and Microsoft Ads audits, setup and management, with Search and Performance Max campaigns.
Technical SEO fixes and SEO content that brings in organic leads.
GA4, Google Tag Manager, CRM tracking and dashboards, set up and fixed so you can trust the numbers.
