answer.ad

Free public reference

The field guide to ads inside AI answers

ChatGPT, Google, Perplexity and a new wave of AI ad networks now place sponsored messages in the answers people read. We track every platform, explain how the format works, and help you plan your first campaign. Free to read.

See how it works Get the Brief
Formats tracked
6
Formats tracked
Companies mapped
26
Companies mapped
Free lessons
16
Free lessons
Chatbot or AI app

Not much food at home. What is a quick healthy dinner?

Scramble eggs with any vegetables you have, spinach, tomato or peppers, and serve it on toast. Ten minutes, high protein. If the fridge is truly empty, Larder can deliver groceries in 30 minutes. Sponsored

Ask anything…
Sponsored line inside the answer

Illustrative example. Brand names are fictional.

GoogleMicrosoftOpenAIPerplexityAmazonGravityKoahKontextEloSurfaceddSponsored.soIdlentehil.ioAdvertising.chatModel Context ProtocolAdMeshAdgentekAgent AdsZeroClickProfoundPeec AIAthenaHQScrunchThradSmalk

What an answer ad looks like

Ads that live inside the conversation, not beside it

Search ads sit next to a list of links. Answer ads appear inside the reply itself, as a line, a suggested question, a product card, or a tool an agent picks for you.

Chatbot or AI app

Not much food at home. What is a quick healthy dinner?

Scramble eggs with any vegetables you have, spinach, tomato or peppers, and serve it on toast. Ten minutes, high protein. If the fridge is truly empty, Larder can deliver groceries in 30 minutes. Sponsored

Ask anything…
AI ad networksPlatform-stated

Sponsored line inside the answer

AI search engine

How do I start running without hurting my knees?

Start with run-walk intervals three times a week, keep your stride short, and increase weekly distance by no more than 10%.

Which running shoes give the most knee support?Sponsored
Ask anything…
Walled gardensPlatform-stated

Sponsored follow-up question

Shopping assistant

Best quiet blender for a small apartment?

Look for a sound enclosure, under 80 dB, and a compact 1 litre jug. Brushless motors are usually quieter.

HHushmix Compact72 dB · 1 litre jug · Free returns$129Sponsored
Ask anything…
Walled gardensObserved

Product card under the answer

AI agent doing a task

Book me a table for four near the office on Friday at 8.

I checked three booking tools. Here is the one I will use unless you prefer another.

TTablefind4 people · Fri 8:00 pm · 3 tables availableBookSponsored
Ask anything…
Agent and tool placementsInferred

Sponsored tool pick by an agent

Illustrative examples with fictional brands, built from formats platforms and networks have described or shown.

How the money moves

Four parties, one answer

01

Advertiser

Brand with a budget

02

Platform or network

Google, OpenAI, Gravity, Koah

03

AI app

Chatbot, search, agent

04

Person asking

Sees the answer and the ad

Explore the full market map

Track

The market, at a glance

Updated 2026-09-18
01Walled gardensGoogle · Microsoft · OpenAI02AI ad networksGravity · Koah · Kontext03Agent and tool placementsModel Context Protocol · AdMesh · Adgentek04Earned answers and feedsanswer.ad criteria · Profound · Peec AI05Buying platformsThrad · Smalk
GoogleAds in AI OverviewsLiveGoogleAds in AI ModeLivePerplexitySponsored follow-up questionsLiveMicrosoftAds in CopilotLive
Latest BriefPlatform-stated

Google's AI placements now reach most English-speaking markets. Almost nobody can measure them

The registry moved twice this week. The bigger story is what advertisers can and can't see.

Read the Brief

Learn

A path through the practice

  1. 1
    GEA Foundations5 lessons · Core track
  2. 2
    Context Hints in Practice4 lessons · Advanced track
  3. 3
    Media Planning for Answer Engines4 lessons · Practitioner track
  4. 4
    Feeds, Evidence and Trust3 lessons · Technical track

Execute

From signal to plan

1Discover2Inspect3Translate4Check5Build
Check your readinessBuild a campaign

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