OpenAI is facing criticism after some ChatGPT users reported seeing app suggestions that looked like advertisements, including in paid plans. The issue gained attention when a co founder of an AI startup shared a screenshot showing ChatGPT suggesting the Peloton app during a conversation that had nothing to do with fitness or health.
The user, who subscribes to the two hundred dollar per month Pro Plan, said the suggestion appeared out of place. The post quickly spread across a social media platform, with many users worrying that OpenAI had started testing ads inside ChatGPT, even for paying customers. Others noted that they too had received repeated suggestions for apps such as Spotify despite using different services.
Daniel McAuley, who leads data for ChatGPT, responded to the concerns. He clarified that the Peloton mention was not an advertisement and that “there was no financial component” behind the suggestion. He said the feature was meant to help users discover apps inside ChatGPT but admitted that “the lack of relevancy” made it a poor experience. He added that the company was working to improve how and when these suggestions appear.
A company spokesperson also confirmed that this was part of ongoing tests related to the platform’s new app system, which was announced in October. At that time, OpenAI said apps would “fit naturally” into conversations and could be discovered when ChatGPT suggested them at appropriate moments. However, in this case, the suggestion appeared during a discussion about a podcast involving Elon Musk and xAI, making it feel intrusive and unrelated.
Critics argue that even if app suggestions are not paid placements, they can still feel like ads. Since the suggestions cannot be disabled, users say the experience becomes distracting, especially when the promoted apps are paid services. Some also worry that such features could influence OpenAI’s broader goal of replacing traditional app experiences with integrated apps inside ChatGPT.
Right now, ChatGPT apps are available to logged in users outside the EU, Switzerland and the UK. The feature remains in pilot testing, with partners including a number of popular platforms.
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