Digital Advertising Insights · Matt Bozin · August 2026
ChatGPT Ads Are Here! Now WE Are Tracking The Machine
Recently crossing the 1B monthly active users milestone, ChatGPT has become one of the most frequented digital channels globally, and February, 2026 marked a turning point as the LLM began serving ads within chats. Naturally, Sensor Tower got to work. Introducing our newest channel - ChatGPT ads.
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What we’re tracking
For the first time, Sensor Tower’s Digital Advertising Insights can track spend, impressions, share of voice, and creatives across US ChatGPT campaigns. Advertiser-specific data for mobile app begins April 1, 2026, and retroactive data for desktop begins June 1st.
While advertisers have been testing the ChatGPT waters, early adopters are already seeing impact, and we can help decode how it’s changing consumer behavior.
The top ad categories from April through July have already seen significant change with Shopping brands topping 36% of total US ad spend in April, steadily decreasing to 25% through July. Financial Services has seen an increased ramp up in ad spend from 2% in April to 12%, with the Software and Jobs and Education sectors also increasing ad spend.
The top ChatGPT advertiser for the last 30 days, Booking.com, earned over 50M impressions across 700+ creatives, promoting everything from ‘Apartment Rentals’ to ‘Road Trip Planning’ to ‘Stargazing Retreats’ as the summer travel swung into full gear.
We’re in the early innings, but as ChatGPT looks to IPO in the coming months, usership and advertising will be at the center of how brands reach consumers through LLM’s, offering a proving ground to other AI models looking to jump in the ad-game.
Want to test out our newest digital ad channel and get more Digital Advertising Insights into your competitors? Click below for a demo.
Written by: Matt Bozin, Sr. Integrated Creative and Campaign Manager
Date: August 2026