{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads","json":"https://digestai.news/story/study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads.md","slug":"study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads","headline":"Study finds ChatGPT ad visits earn less than Google search ads","summary":"A working paper by Maximilian Kaiser and Christian Schulze analyzes the performance of ChatGPT ads versus paid Google search ads in the U.S. The study, based on data from 102 advertiser sites, found that a visit from a ChatGPT ad generated $0.89 in revenue, compared to $2.45 for a paid Google search ad. Consequently, the authors calculate that a ChatGPT ad click is worth approximately $0.26 to match the return on investment of a search ad, whereas the highest reported cost per click was $1.72.\n\nConversion rates also favored traditional search, with ChatGPT ad visits converting at 0.37 percent versus 1.17 percent for paid search. Among 87 advertisers who used both channels, 84 earned less per visit from ChatGPT ads. Notably, 73 of these advertisers generated zero sales from their ChatGPT ads, while a single advertiser accounted for 66 percent of all purchases made via the platform.\n\nThe study also examined organic traffic, finding an estimated 6–8 percent decrease in unpaid referrals from ChatGPT after the ad launch in the U.S. This decline was observed relative to organic search referrals and compared to the EU, where ads had not yet launched. The authors note that while ads appear as separate sponsored cards, OpenAI is exploring more native integration, which could alter both ad value and user trust.","keyPoints":["ChatGPT ad visits generated $0.89 in revenue versus $2.45 for paid Google search visits in the U.S.","The calculated parity price for a ChatGPT ad click is approximately $0.26, far below the $1.72 highest reported cost.","Organic referrals from ChatGPT decreased by an estimated 6–8 percent in the U.S. following the ad launch."],"whyItMatters":"Marketers relying on ChatGPT for customer acquisition face significantly lower returns than traditional search ads. The data suggests current ad placements may not justify costs for most businesses, influencing budget allocation strategies.","category":{"slug":"marketing","name":"Marketing & Small Business","url":"https://digestai.news/category/marketing"},"entities":{"companies":["OpenAI","Google","Grips Intelligence","DoubleVerify","Weight Watchers","Opascope"],"models":["ChatGPT"],"people":["Maximilian Kaiser","Christian Schulze"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-11-02T14:41:23Z","updatedAt":"2026-11-02T14:41:23Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"Search Engine Journal","title":"Google Search Ad Visits Out-Earned ChatGPT Ads In U.S. via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern","url":"https://searchenginejournal.com/google-search-chatgpt-ad-revenue-per-visit/595596","publishedAt":"2026-11-02T14:41:23Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"Study finds ChatGPT ad visits earn less than Google search ads\", 2 November 2026, https://digestai.news/story/study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"Study finds ChatGPT ad visits earn less than Google search ads","datePublished":"2026-11-02T14:41:23Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/study-finds-chatgpt-ad-visits-earn-less-than-google-search-ads"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}