How to set up your first ChatGPT ads campaign, step by step
Short answer: Create an Ads Manager account in your business's name and add payment. Pick an objective and a buying model, usually CPC for a first test. Set a daily budget of at least ₹725 in India. Write clear copy, point it at a matching landing page, set up tracking, launch, then review weekly.
What do you need before you open Ads Manager?
You need an offer, a landing page, a way to count leads and a fixed test budget. Sort these out first, because the campaign build itself is the easy part.
ChatGPT ads are labelled sponsored placements shown below answers, to adult users on the Free and Go plans, as of October 2026. That comes from OpenAI's announcement. Your ad will appear after someone has read an answer, so your offer should feel like a useful next step.
Before you start, write down:
- The one action you want, such as a booking, a call or a form fill.
- What a lead is worth to you, roughly.
- How much you will spend and for how many days.
A note on screens: Ads Manager is new and changing. This guide describes the steps in general terms. Follow the current on-screen flow for exact buttons and menus.
Step 1: How do you create the account and add payment?
Sign up for Ads Manager with a business email and add a payment method in your company's name. Self-serve Ads Manager opened to Indian advertisers from 4 September 2026, as Manifest reported.
A few habits save trouble later:
- Use a shared business email, not one person's personal address.
- Put billing on a company card or account.
- Add your agency or freelancer as a user, rather than letting them own the account.
- Keep invoices for your accountant. Ask your accountant how to treat them for GST.
Step 2: How do you choose an objective and buying model?
Choose the outcome you care about, then pick how you want to pay. As of October 2026, the buying models are CPM, CPC and conversion-optimised CPC, according to exchange4media.
| Buying model | You pay for | Good first choice when |
|---|---|---|
| CPM | Each 1,000 impressions | You want awareness, for example a new hotel opening |
| CPC | Each click | You want visits and leads and are new to the channel |
| Conversion-optimised CPC | Clicks, aimed at likely converters | Tracking already records leads reliably |
For most first campaigns, CPC is the simplest. You pay only when someone reaches your page, and the numbers compare easily with other channels.
Move to conversion-optimised buying after your tracking has recorded real leads. Without that data, the system has little to optimise towards.
Step 3: How do you set the budget and schedule?
Set a daily budget at or above the India minimum of ₹725, as of October 2026, and a fixed end date. Decide the total before launch so the test cannot quietly grow.
Worked example (example numbers): A boutique hotel in Goa plans a two-week first test.
Daily budget: ₹1,000, which is above the ₹725 minimum.
Length: 14 days, so total ad spend is ₹14,000.
Review points: day 3 for errors, day 7 for early signals, day 14 for a decision.
If, for example, clicks cost ₹35, the hotel gets 400 clicks over 14 days.
These are example numbers only, not a forecast of real prices.
Our ChatGPT ads budget guide works through 30-day maths at different click costs.
Step 4: How do you write ad copy for an answer-style placement?
Write like a helpful next step, not a shout. The reader has just finished an answer, so be specific and calm.
Good first drafts usually include:
- What you offer, in plain words.
- Who it is for, such as families, first-time buyers or small shops.
- One concrete detail, such as a price from, a location or a time frame.
- A clear action, such as "Check dates" or "Book a free call".
Avoid claims you cannot prove, such as "best in Mumbai". Write two or three versions so you can compare them. Check character limits on screen as you type. Our ad copy character counter is handy for drafting offline.
Step 5: What should the landing page do?
The landing page should continue the conversation the ad started. Same offer, same words, one clear action.
- Load fast on a mobile connection. See our post on website speed for ads.
- Repeat the ad's headline or promise near the top.
- Ask for as little as possible: name, phone, and one qualifying question.
- Offer WhatsApp or a call if that is how your buyers prefer to talk.
If the ad says "family rooms near the beach", the page should open on family rooms near the beach. A generic home page wastes the click.
Step 6: How do you set up tracking before launch?
Track every lead in your own analytics before you spend anything. Then use whatever conversion tracking Ads Manager offers at the time.
A baseline that works whatever the platform offers:
- Add UTM tags to your ad's link, such as source "chatgpt" and medium "paid".
- Make your thank-you page or form event count as a conversion in your analytics.
- Send each lead to one place, such as a CRM or a shared sheet, with its source.
- Submit a test lead yourself and confirm it appears everywhere.
Check what conversion tracking Ads Manager supports when you set up. Follow the on-screen instructions, since this area is still developing.
Step 7: How do you launch and review the first two weeks?
Launch with a test lead confirmed, then review on fixed days. Do not change everything on day two.
A simple review rhythm:
- Day 1 to 3: check the ad is showing, the link works and spend is pacing.
- Day 7: look at clicks, cost per click and any early leads. Pause clearly weak copy.
- Day 14: compare cost per lead with your other channels. Decide to continue, adjust or stop.
Keep a short log of every change and why you made it. When results move, you will know what caused it.
Remember that India has been described as a price test, so costs may shift. Judge results against your own other channels, not against claims you read online.
Who can help if you would rather not do this yourself?
You can run all of this yourself with a few hours a week. If you would rather hand it over, WebMaxs offers ChatGPT ads management as an add-on to any monthly plan.
The account stays in your name and ad spend is paid by you, directly to the platform. Plan prices are on the pricing page. New to the channel? Start with what ChatGPT ads are and who can run them in India.
Frequently asked questions
How long does setup take?
Plan for a few working days, not an afternoon. Most of the time goes into the landing page and tracking, not the ad itself. If those already exist, the campaign build is quick.
Can I copy my Google Ads text into ChatGPT ads?
You can start from it, but rewrite it. Google text is built for short keyword searches. ChatGPT users have just read a full answer, so a slightly more helpful, specific message usually fits better.
Do I need a separate landing page for ChatGPT ads?
Not always, but it helps. A dedicated page lets you match the ad's message and track the channel cleanly. A copy of an existing page with a tailored headline is often enough.
What if my ad is not approved?
Read the reason given in Ads Manager and fix that specific issue. Common causes on any ad platform are unclear claims, mismatched landing pages and restricted categories. Check OpenAI's current advertiser policies before you resubmit.
Should I let someone else manage the account?
You can, but keep ownership. The account and billing should be in your business's name, with others added as users. That way your data and history stay with you if you change who manages it.
Sources
- OpenAI: New ways to buy ChatGPT ads (5 May 2026)
- Manifest: OpenAI launches ChatGPT ads in India
- exchange4media: ChatGPT ads just hit $1bn run rate, now comes the price test in India
Platform rules change. Check the official pages before you launch.
Want this done for your brand?
See how WebMaxs handles ChatGPT Ads, or tell us about your business and we will bring three ideas and a free sample ad to the call.
