ChatGPT App Suggestions Spark Concern Over Unexpected Promos

Some users of ChatGPT’s premium service were caught off guard this week when the AI unexpectedly suggested they install the Peloton app during unrelated conversations. The suggestion raised immediate concern that OpenAI was testing advertisements inside its paid ChatGPT experience, prompting backlash across social media.

Yuchen Jin, co-founder of AI startup Hyperbolic, posted a screenshot on X showing ChatGPT recommending Peloton while discussing a podcast about Elon Musk and xAI. Jin, who pays $200 per month for OpenAI’s ChatGPT Pro Plan, questioned why a fitness app appeared in a conversation with no relevant context. The post was viewed more than 460,000 times and reshared widely, sparking debate about how OpenAI is handling user interactions within its AI.

In response, Daniel McAuley, OpenAI’s data lead for ChatGPT, replied to the thread, clarifying that the suggestion was not an ad. “There’s no financial component,” he wrote. “It’s only a suggestion to install Peloton’s app.” He acknowledged that the suggestion was irrelevant to the conversation and admitted it resulted in a bad and confusing user experience. McAuley said OpenAI is iterating on how these suggestions are integrated to improve user experience.

A spokesperson for the company also confirmed that the app recommendation was part of a pilot test to introduce app integrations into conversations more naturally. This feature stems from OpenAI’s October announcement introducing its app platform for ChatGPT. In the original announcement, the company stated that these apps are intended to fit seamlessly into chats, either when referenced by name or when the AI detects a potentially useful moment to mention them.

However, users didn’t see the timing as seamless. Critics pointed out that when the AI promotes apps without clear relevance — and without an option to disable suggestions — it can feel intrusive, especially for paying customers. One user noted similar issues, saying they kept receiving Spotify suggestions despite being an Apple Music subscriber.

The controversy highlights a potential tension for OpenAI as it pushes to replace traditional app stores with a more integrated ChatGPT experience. If suggestions feel promotional or interruptive, users may grow wary, regardless of whether there’s money behind the recommendation. Currently, these app integrations are available to logged-in users outside the EU, U.K., and Switzerland, while still in testing.

Alongside Peloton, OpenAI currently partners with companies like Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Zillow, and others to develop apps that function inside ChatGPT. These integrations aim to let users perform tasks like booking a trip, editing a design, or browsing real estate without ever leaving the chat.

For now, the company says it’s working out the kinks. But as AI becomes more embedded in daily online experiences, users will likely watch closely to see where the line is drawn between helpful features and unexpected product pushes.