How to set up an OpenAI Ads account: a step-by-step guide

Before you can run ads in ChatGPT, you need an approved OpenAI Ads account. Setup isn't hard, but there are a few steps where people get stuck. This guide walks you through the whole process — then shows how to manage your campaigns far more clearly with Chatvertise than in the raw Ads Manager.

What you need first

• A business or brand you're advertising for
• A destination domain (landing page) or a product catalog
• A payment method (credit card)
• A budget and a clear goal (clicks, impressions or conversions)

Step 1: Apply for OpenAI Ads access

Open the OpenAI Ads Manager and apply for advertiser access (currently beta, primarily US). You'll provide your business details and the domain you want to advertise, and accept OpenAI's advertising policies. Your account then goes through an integrity/safety review.

Step 2: Add a payment method and wait for approval

Add a valid payment method — nothing serves without it. OpenAI then reviews your account and domain. Only once the account review reads “approved” can your ads start at all. This can take a while, so plan a buffer.

Step 3: Set your account basics

Set your currency and time zone (both affect reporting and billing) and verify your domain. Get these right, because some settings can't be changed later.

Step 4: Create an API key

In the Ads Manager under Settings → API Keys, create an API key. It's tied to your ad account and is the key external tools use to manage campaigns on your behalf. Copy it and store it safely — it's shown only once.

Step 5: Switch to Chatvertise for the overview

The Ads Manager is fine for creating things — but as soon as you have several campaigns, ad groups and ads, managing and analyzing them there gets messy fast. Connect your API key in Chatvertise instead (it's stored AES-256 encrypted) and work in a clear interface:

• Insights dashboard: spend, impressions, clicks, CTR and conversions at every level, synced daily and broken down by country, device or product
• Structure view: your whole account as a tree — with each item's status (active, paused, in review, approved, rejected) and budget pacing
• Manage: create, pause and archive campaigns, ad groups and ads — one by one or in bulk
• Ad preview in the ChatGPT look, so you see how your ad reads before it goes live
• CSV export and email alerts, plus an AI copilot and Shopify import on higher plans

That way you see at a glance what's actually serving and why a campaign isn't live yet — for example because its ads are still in review. Connect your freshly created OpenAI Ads account and start free: you'll have your first campaign under control in minutes.