The most popular chatbots have allowed us to use them for free and without the usual advertising barrage, but that seems about to change. With the emergence of Perplexity AI in early 2023, we began to see what the future of search engines could look like. This chatbot behaved like a conversational search engine and did so remarkably well, continuously improving its options and offering a clean, distraction-free interface. But what will happen when ads are introduced on their platform?

Platform | Current Monetization Model | Potential Future Change |
---|---|---|
ChatGPT | Free version and subscription | Introduction of ads |
Claude | Free version and subscription | Possible CPM implementation |
Gemini | Free version and subscription | Considering ads |
Perplexity AI | Free and ad-free | Ads introduction confirmed |

Advertising in Chatbots: The Future is Here
However, Perplexity AI has not been without controversy. Its plundering of internet content has been heavily criticized by various publications, accusing it of partially or entirely plagiarizing articles when responding to specific requests. This led Perplexity to change the way it cited sources and implement a revenue-sharing model with content publishers. Allowing them to earn money from searches made on their platform. Companies like Fortune, Time, and WordPress joined this program, but now the company — with an estimated value of $1 billion — is preparing a radical shift: inserting advertisements in their search responses.
Associated Company | Revenue Program | Potential Future |
---|---|---|
Fortune | Earnings from shared searches | Ads integrated into results |
Time | Similar to CPM model | Increased monetization |
WordPress | Ads in responses | Higher CPM rates |

What Does This Mean for the Future of Chatbots?
The introduction of ads in Perplexity AI could mark the beginning of a new era for search engines and chatbots. According to CNBC, the company plans to introduce ads in their search engine in the fourth quarter of the year, indicating a significant strategic shift. This decision is based on a commercial presentation promoting the reach and growth of service usage, highlighting that their mobile app has been downloaded more than two million times, and their platform responds to over 230 million requests per month. The data reveals a significant increase in requests in the US alone, multiplying over the last 12 months.
This impressive growth suggests that Perplexity AI has already reached a large enough user base to make ad insertion profitable. As it continues to expand, it would not be surprising to see other big names like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude follow suit, adopting similar monetization models through advertising.
Chatbot | Current User Base | Advertising Forecast |
---|---|---|
ChatGPT | Broad and growing | Possible ad consideration |
Gemini | Broad and growing | Potential ad introduction |
Claude | Broad and growing | Analyzing new revenue options |
Perplexity AI | 2 million downloads, 230 million requests/month | Confirmed ad introduction |

An Inevitable Shift in the Digital Landscape
This is not the first time we’ve seen such moves in digital platforms. Free apps have managed to capture a broad audience and, once established, began integrating advertising to monetize their user base. Perplexity AI seems to be just the first of many to follow this trend. But what does this mean for us, the users?
From MundoVirtual, the perspective is clear: the future of chatbots is set to change drastically. This move could represent an opportunity for users to gain more value from these platforms. Provided they are implemented in a way that does not negatively impact the user experience. However, it also raises questions about privacy, data management, and respect for third-party content.
User Opinions: On the one hand, some users might feel frustrated seeing the clean experience they have enjoyed with their favorite chatbots interrupted. On the other, others might welcome the possibility of having a more personalized service that potentially improves in quality thanks to the additional revenue advertising can provide.

When Advertising Becomes the Norm
As this trend continues, it’s essential to stay informed and adapt to these changes. From MundoVirtual, we recommend our readers stay tuned for updates in this field and consider how these changes might affect their daily use of these tools. Have you wondered how advertising will affect your experience with chatbots? Are you ready to join this conversation?
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