OpenAI Projects ChatGPT Plus subscriptions to drop by 80% from 44 Million in 2025 to 9 Million In 2026, Made Up Using Cheaper Subscriptions (Somehow)

Source: Where’s Your Ed At Date: 2026-04-28 URL: https://www.wheresyoured.at/openai-projects-chatgpt-plus-subscriptions-to-drop-by-80-from-44-million-in-2025-to-9-million-in-2026-made-up-using-cheaper-subscriptions-somehow/

Summary

Ed Zitron reports leaked OpenAI financials (via The Information): ChatGPT Plus projected to drop from 44M (2025) to 9M (2026) subscribers — 80% decline. Replacement: “ChatGPT Go” ad-supported tier at $5-8/month, projected to 112M subscribers. Pro doubles but stays <1% of total. Revenue math doesn’t close: 35M lost at $20 ≠ 109M gained at $5-8.

Implications

• Consumer AI subscription model is collapsing — the subsidy era’s endpoint becomes visible
• 112M ChatGPT Go subscribers would require “the single-largest user acquisition campaign in history”
• Professional/enterprise revenue must compensate for consumer decline
• The ad-supported model introduces new data/privacy tensions with the data training policy (activated Apr 24)