ChatGPT Search Ads Earn Less Than Google Search in US

## ChatGPT Search Ads vs Google Paid Search
A recent working paper shows that ChatGPT search ads bring in just $0.89 per visit in US traffic. In comparison, visits from Google paid search ads earn $2.45 each. This data, highlighted by Search Engine Journal, reveals ChatGPT ads earn about a third of the revenue per visit Google search ads generate.

Conversion rates also lag behind. ChatGPT ads convert at 0.37%, while Google paid search ads convert at 1.17% on the same sites in the US. Most advertisers saw no sales from ChatGPT ads; 73 out of 87 recorded zero purchases despite tens of thousands of visits. One advertiser accounted for 66% of ChatGPT-driven purchases, indicating the results are heavily skewed.

## How to approach ChatGPT search ads
The study estimates a “parity price” for ChatGPT ad clicks around $0.26, which is the cost per click that would match paid search revenue return. Some reported bids for ChatGPT ads are much higher, up to $1.72 per click, risking overspending.

If you run ChatGPT ads, check your campaign data for bot or crawler traffic to avoid inflated metrics. Calculate your break-even CPC based on your actual revenue per visit rather than guessing. Compare ChatGPT ads to your Google Ads campaigns regularly to see what works best.

## What it means for you
ChatGPT search ads currently are a less efficient ad channel than Google paid search in US traffic. Use them cautiously and keep bids conservative. Treat ChatGPT ads as a supplement, not a replacement for Google Ads.

This week, review your ChatGPT ad campaigns for session quality and try using my Free ROAS and break-even ROAS calculator to set smarter bids. Keep monitoring performance closely to avoid wasted spend.