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How to Manage Ad Personalization and Data Controls in ChatGPT

Turn off ad personalization in Settings > Ad Controls. Learn what the setting changes, what it does not, and how ChatGPT’s separate data controls work.
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To turn off personalized ads in ChatGPT, go to Settings > Ad Controls and switch off ad personalization. This does not remove ads: OpenAI says ads may still be based on the context of the chat thread you are currently using. Ad personalization, model training, and OpenAI marketing on third-party sites each have separate controls.

Turn off ad personalization

  1. Open ChatGPT and select your profile menu.
  2. Open Settings > Ad Controls.
  3. Turn off ad personalization.

OpenAI says the control limits the use of broader signals for choosing ads. With personalization off, the current chat thread may still inform ads, but other chat threads, ad history, and topics will not be used for that purpose. Turning the setting off does not turn ads off. You can also dismiss an ad, submit feedback, check why a particular ad appeared, and clear data used for ads. OpenAI’s ChatGPT ads help page describes these options.

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What information can personalize ads?

When ad personalization is enabled, OpenAI says selected signals may include interactions with ads and, if memory is enabled, saved memories and recent chats. This is different from giving advertisers access to those conversations; OpenAI says advertisers do not receive chat contents or personal details.

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Temporary Chat is described as a way to chat without using or updating memory. It is a memory control, not a replacement for the Ad Controls setting. OpenAI’s explanation of ads and personalization covers the relationship between memory, recent chats, and ad selection.

Ad personalization, model training, and marketing privacy are separate

Control Where to find it What it changes Does it delete chat history?
Ad personalization Settings > Ad Controls Whether broader ChatGPT signals can inform ads. The current thread may still inform ads when personalization is off. No. It is an ad-selection setting. OpenAI
Model training Settings > Data controls > Improve the model for everyone When off, new conversations are not used to train OpenAI models. No. Conversations can remain in chat history. OpenAI
Marketing privacy on third-party properties Settings > Data Controls > Marketing Privacy Opts out of sharing for targeted advertising that promotes OpenAI on third-party properties. It does not control ads shown inside ChatGPT. Not a chat-history deletion control. OpenAI

To stop new conversations being used for model training, change the model-training setting separately. To remove a conversation, use the chat-history controls; switching off training does not delete it. OpenAI notes that settings may differ depending on sign-in status, plan, and workspace configuration. In a managed workspace, ask the workspace owner if a control is missing. See OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ.

Clear data used for ads

Ad Controls also lets you clear data used for ads. OpenAI says cleared ads data is no longer used to show ads, but may remain for up to 30 days before removal. This action concerns ad data; it is not the same as deleting chats or changing model-training preferences. OpenAI’s ads help page states the retention period.

Who has ads and Ad Controls?

OpenAI’s documented Ad Controls apply to Free and Go users in regions where ads are available or expected soon. The initial US ad test began February 9, 2026, with a gradual rollout in selected regions. OpenAI says Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu accounts will not have ads. Personalized ads were initially unavailable in the EEA and Switzerland; availability may change, and an exact current country list is not established here. Check current in-product notices and OpenAI’s ads availability information for your account and region.

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If you do not see Ad Controls, eligibility, sign-in status, or workspace settings may explain why. Do not assume that an unavailable toggle means a different privacy setting has been changed.

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Can advertisers see your chats?

OpenAI says, “We do not share your conversations with ChatGPT with advertisers, and we never sell your data to advertisers.” It says advertisers cannot access chats, chat history, memories, or personal details. Advertisers receive aggregated, non-identifying performance reporting, such as total views or clicks. Read OpenAI’s explanation of advertiser access and reporting.

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