Listen, I’m going to level with you. For the last few months, advertising on ChatGPT has felt like trying to get into an underground speakeasy where you had to know a guy who knew a guy and show up with a briefcase containing $250,000 just to get past the velvet rope.
Well, the party just went mainstream.
OpenAI has officially flipped the sign from “Private Event” to “Open Bar.” If you aren’t paying attention, you’re going to be left outside in the digital cold while your competitors are inside ordering rounds of clicks on the house. They’ve finally moved away from those high brow, pay just to look at me impression models and landed on the holy grail of digital marketing: Cost Per Click (CPC).
You can now bid $3 to $5 per click to have your brand whispered into the ears of millions of users exactly when they’re asking for advice. It’s exciting, it’s shiny, and it’s exactly the kind of disruption I live for at The Spot Marketing.
The $60 Hangover is Over
When OpenAI first started testing ads back in February, they were charging a $60 CPM. For those of you who don’t speak agency geek, that means advertisers were paying sixty bucks just for 1,000 people to potentially scroll past their name.
Fast forward ten weeks and that $60 has eroded faster than a cheap spray tan at a pool party. We’re seeing rates as low as $25 because the new car smell is wearing off and the inventory is growing. OpenAI realized that if they wanted to compete with the big boys like Google, they had to give us what we actually want. They had to give us results.
By switching to a CPC model with bids in the $3 to $5 range, they’ve essentially admitted that visibility is nice but clicks are better. It’s a move that says they know you’re skeptical, so you should only pay if someone actually cares enough to leave the chat and visit your site.
Why Your Current SEO Strategy is Looking a Little Dusty
If you’ve been relying on the same SEO tricks since 2022, I have some bad news for you. The search in Search Engine Optimization is changing. We’re entering the era of GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization.
When someone asks ChatGPT for the best boutique marketing agency that actually knows what they’re doing, I want to be the answer. But now, instead of just hoping the algorithm likes my latest blog post, I can buy my way into the conversation.
At The Spot Marketing, I’ve always said that being “The Spot” means being where the people are. Right now, the people are arguing with an AI about their dinner plans or asking it to write a polite email to their landlord. If your brand can pop up as the helpful solution during that moment of intent, that isn’t just advertising. That’s a miracle.
My No Nonsense Guide to AI Bidding
Before you go dumping your entire Q4 budget into OpenAI’s lap, let’s have a little reality check.
First, don’t be the creepy ad. Context is everything. If someone is asking ChatGPT how to debug code, they don’t want to see an ad for your artisanal sourdough. But if they’re asking for travel tips for Maui? Then it is absolutely game on.
Second, the bar is open but the minimum is still a thing. While they’ve lowered the barrier, reports show they’re still looking for commitments around $50,000 for some of these pilots. It’s not pocket change yet, but it’s a lot better than the quarter million dollar buy in we saw in February.
Third, measurement is a work in progress. OpenAI is currently building their version of a tracking pixel. It’s a bit like a toddler building a Lego castle. It’s getting there, but don’t expect Google level analytics just yet. You need an agency that knows how to read between the lines.
Is Your Brand Ready for the Spotlight?
I don’t do old fashioned. I do results. Whether it’s a high impact TV spot, a viral social campaign, or navigating the wild west of AI driven CPC ads, I make sure you aren’t just present. I make sure you’re the main character.
The shift to performance based AI ads is the biggest thing to happen to digital marketing since the first person realized they could buy a keyword. It’s fast moving and it’s a little bit of a gamble, which is exactly why you need a partner who knows how to play the hand.
OpenAI is projecting $2.5 billion in ad revenue this year. They aren’t doing this for their health. They’re doing it because it works.
So, are you going to keep standing behind the velvet rope or are you ready to order? The bar is open and I’m ready to get to work. Head over to thespotmarketing.com and let’s get you on the map.
