Advertisers should focus on OpenAI Ads and other AI-native advertising platforms in 2026 because AI assistants are becoming the primary discovery layer, and brands that establish visibility early gain disproportionate attention, lower costs, and long-term dominance. First movers don’t just get cheaper clicks — they shape how AI recommends brands.

To rank #1 on ChatGPT, advertisers must optimize for recommendation logic, not rankings. That means building AI-readable authority, consistent brand signals, real conversion proof, and strong off-platform validation—long before paid placements become fully competitive.