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The ad era of ChatGPT is coming. OpenAI recently posted a job listing to build an advertising platform inside ChatGPT. Perplexity is already testing ads with select advertisers. The signal is clear: large language models (LLMs) aren’t just tools for exploration anymore—they’re about to become paid marketing channels, sitting alongside Google and Meta in the digital ad mix.
For business owners, this shift raises both excitement and uncertainty. We know ads are coming, but they won’t look, or work, like the platforms we’re used to. The smart move is to start preparing now, with the right expectations and the right foundations in place.
Why LLM Ads Will Be Different
Search advertising works because people go to Google with clear intent: they’re ready to find, compare, and often buy. LLMs serve a different purpose. Users turn to ChatGPT, Perplexity, or similar tools to explore, learn, and get recommendations.
That means ads in LLMs will live higher in the funnel. They’ll be about education and positioning, not just clicks and conversions. Think of them less like Google text ads and more like a sponsored podcast mention: the ad is woven into a moment of discovery.
And one thing is certain - trust will be non-negotiable. These companies know their value lies in providing helpful, relevant responses. Irrelevant or intrusive ads will quickly erode credibility. If your content doesn’t align with user intent, you won’t get surface-level visibility, let alone clicks.
What Businesses Should Expect
Here’s what the future of LLM ads will likely mean for business owners:
- Your existing product feed won’t be enough. Price alone won’t win. You’ll need detailed, compelling descriptions that explain why your product or service is the right choice.
- Foundations will matter more than ever. Clear messaging, clean site architecture, and optimized landing pages will become prerequisites. If your site confuses or misleads, don’t expect to show up.
- ROI will look different. Don’t count on LLMs to deliver Google-style last-click conversions right away. These ads will likely influence awareness and consideration, not instant purchases.
How to Prepare Today
Even though the ad platforms aren’t fully built yet, there are steps you can take now to get ahead:
- Sharpen your story. Make sure your brand narrative and product positioning are clear, differentiated, and consistent across all touchpoints.
- Invest in education. Think about how your content can teach and guide, not just sell. Articles, videos, and explainer content will be strong complements to LLM ad formats.
- Experiment with discovery formats. Test channels like YouTube, TikTok, or sponsored content. The skills you build there - storytelling, creative testing, audience targeting - will transfer to LLMs.
The Future Is Coming Fast
We don’t know exactly what LLM advertising will look like yet. But we know it’s coming. And we know it won’t reward businesses that try to copy-paste their Google Ads strategy into a new environment.
When the first wave of LLM ads goes live, will you be scrambling to catch up—or already positioned to show up?
At Uproer, we’re staying ahead of the curve to give our clients a competitive edge. Want to know how your brand can optimize for AI Search? Let’s talk.
