OpenAI Adds Local ChatGPT Ad Sales Across MENA Through Aleph

Regional brands gain local billing, payment terms and campaign support for placing sponsored ads inside ChatGPT.

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People use ChatGPT to research products and compare purchases. Businesses can pay to display advertisements below the chatbot's responses, reaching potential customers during those conversations. OpenAI's advertiser guide explains how these placements work.

OpenAI is adding local sales and support for that advertising through Aleph. Their exclusive reseller agreement covers 44 markets. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Morocco are among them. Brands and agencies in those countries can contract, pay and receive support locally through Aleph.

For example, someone researching running shoes could see a sponsored placement from a sports retailer. The retailer is paying for an advertisement alongside the conversation. OpenAI says that payment does not influence ChatGPT's answer or give advertisers access to private conversations. Its published advertising principles keep those functions separate.

Local support for regional advertisers

Aleph will handle local contracting and invoicing, alongside onboarding and first-line support. OpenAI says the offering also includes local-currency billing, payment terms, campaign assistance and training.

Aleph founder and CEO Gastón Taratuta described the local service in the company announcement as:

“a local team that speaks their language, bills in their currency and extends credit.”

For a regional agency managing client campaigns, a local commercial contact could simplify billing and support. Training could also help teams understand how advertising in an AI conversation differs from familiar search and social placements.

The agreement builds on existing access. OpenAI had already introduced self-service ad purchasing across MENA. Businesses can continue buying directly through Ads Manager or using existing global technology partners.

Reaching customers while they compare options

ChatGPT advertising places a brand near a conversation about what a person wants to accomplish. A shopper might explain their budget, compare products and ask follow-up questions before deciding what to buy. That context gives advertisers another way to introduce a relevant offer.

According to OpenAI's advertiser guide, ad selection considers the conversation's intent alongside the advertisement and its destination page. Advertisers can suggest relevant topics, but they do not guarantee placement in a particular conversation.

OpenAI reported that more than 100,000 advertisers had run campaigns, with ChatGPT Ads available in 89 countries. The company also reports more than 1.2 billion weekly ChatGPT users. That total includes people on ad-free subscriptions. Ads appear only on Free and Go plans. Plus, Pro and business subscriptions remain ad-free. The total audience is therefore different from the audience available to advertisers.

Campaign results will determine the opportunity

OpenAI's reporting tools let advertisers track views, clicks, spending and conversions, such as purchases or inquiries. However, the company says it does not yet have performance benchmarks across advertisers, industries or campaign types. OpenAI still describes its advertising platform as being in beta. It warns that ongoing changes can affect campaign delivery and spending.

For MENA, the agreement connects an emerging advertising channel to local commercial support. Its value will be judged by the customers and sales regional campaigns bring in.