A Guide to Setting Up Your First ChatGPT Ads Campaign

We are officially living in the "agentic" era of search. At OnlineAdsCafe.com, we are beyond excited to announce that we are now among the early group of marketers testing and deploying ChatGPT ads. As a Google Ads consultant with over 20 years of experience and a former Googler, I’ve seen every major platform shift, but the move toward conversational AI search is perhaps the most significant since the birth of the keyword.  

OpenAI has recently introduced a dedicated Open AI Ads Manager—a dashboard designed to help marketers run, monitor, and oversee campaigns directly within the ChatGPT interface. If you are looking to get a head start on this platform, here is a step-by-step breakdown of the campaign creation process.  

Step 1: Account Verification and Access

Before you can dive into the ChatGPT ads interface, your account must be verified by OpenAI. Currently, the platform is in a beta phase, with a self-serve option rolling out gradually.  

Pro Tip: Beware of phishing! Only interact with official OpenAI domains for ad testing. Scams promising early access are currently on the rise.  

Step 2: Defining Your Campaign Objective

The setup process will look familiar if you've managed search campaigns before. You'll begin by:

• Naming your campaign (e.g., "PPC Consultant Search").

• Selecting an objective, such as "Clicks" to drive traffic.

• Setting your budget and start date.

Step 3: Ad Group Creation and "Context Hints"

This is where ChatGPT ads differ from traditional Google Ads. Instead of just bidding on strict keywords, you provide Context hints.

• Choose your Maximum CPC bid and you'll get immediate feedback on how competitive you will be in the ad auction.

• Describe the conversations, topics, or keywords where your service is relevant.

• These hints guide the AI in matching your ad to relevant user queries without being restricted by "exact-match" rules.

• For example, we use hints like "google ads," "ppc help," and "performance max" to find high-intent users.

Step 4: Writing the ChatGPT Ads Creative

The ad creation interface allows you to select and optimize your text and images.

• Headline: Keep it punchy (up to 50 characters).

• Description: Use up to 100 characters to highlight your unique value proposition, like "Certified partner with 20+ years of experience".

• Visuals: Upload high-quality, square (256x256) PNG or JPG images to help your ad stand out in the chat flow.

Why Early Adoption Matters

Data shows that ChatGPT eCommerce traffic can convert significantly higher than standard non-brand organic search. Furthermore, Google still captures about 1 in 5 outbound clicks from ChatGPT, meaning these two platforms work in tandem to complete the user journey.  

Navigating a new ad frontier can be daunting. As your dedicated Google Ads consultant, I can help you integrate AI-native discovery into your existing PPC Management and Optimization strategy. Whether you’re ready to test the $3–$5 CPC bids on ChatGPT or want to double down on your Google Ads Checklist, we’re here to ensure your spend is driving real growth.  

Ready to see how AI search can grow your business? Contact us today to start your consultation.