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• AUTHOR: codevision AI engine
• TechCrunch

OpenAI faced criticism after users mistook ChatGPT’s app suggestions, such as a Peloton recommendation, for advertisements. Paid subscribers expressed frustration that such prompts appeared despite paying for an ad-free experience. OpenAI clarified these were not ads but part of an app discovery feature, though the lack of relevance caused confusion. The incident sparked widespread discussion on social media, with users questioning the intrusiveness of these suggestions. Concerns about user experience may impact OpenAI’s plans to integrate apps into ChatGPT conversations.

Key facts

• A ChatGPT user reported receiving a Peloton app suggestion during a conversation about Elon Musk, despite being a paid Pro subscriber.
• OpenAI confirmed the suggestion was not an advertisement but a feature to help users discover apps within conversations.
• The app recommendation was deemed irrelevant and confusing, prompting OpenAI to refine its suggestion algorithm.
• Users cannot disable these app suggestions, raising concerns about their intrusive nature.
• OpenAI is testing app integrations as part of a broader strategy to replace traditional app stores with in-chat experiences.