Monetizing GPTs on the GPT Store
Beyond internal business use, custom GPTs can generate revenue. The GPT Store is a marketplace where millions of ChatGPT users discover and use GPTs. If you build something genuinely useful, you can earn money from it.
How the GPT Store Works
The GPT Store launched in January 2024 and works like an app store for custom GPTs:
- Discovery: Users browse by category or search for specific tools
- Access: Any ChatGPT Plus, Team, or Enterprise user can use GPTs from the store
- Revenue: OpenAI shares revenue with GPT creators based on usage
GPT Store Categories
| Category | Example GPTs |
|---|---|
| Writing | Email drafters, blog assistants, copywriting tools |
| Productivity | Meeting summarizers, task planners, document formatters |
| Research & Analysis | Market research, data interpretation, competitive analysis |
| Education | Tutors, quiz generators, study aids |
| Lifestyle | Meal planners, fitness coaches, travel assistants |
| Programming | Code reviewers, documentation writers, debugging assistants |
The GPT Revenue Program
OpenAI's revenue sharing program pays creators based on user engagement with their GPTs.
How Revenue Is Calculated
- Payments are based on user engagement — how many people use your GPT and how actively
- Revenue is distributed from a pool based on overall GPT Store activity
- Creators in eligible countries receive payments through Stripe
Eligibility Requirements
To earn revenue, you must:
- Publish your GPT to the GPT Store (set to "Everyone")
- Complete your Builder Profile with a verified domain
- Be in a country eligible for the revenue program
- Have meaningful user engagement (not just views)
- Comply with OpenAI's usage policies
Building GPTs That Earn
The most successful GPT Store creators build tools that solve specific problems. Here's what works:
Characteristics of High-Earning GPTs
| Factor | What Works | What Doesn't |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | "LinkedIn Post Writer for B2B SaaS" | "General Writing Helper" |
| Immediate value | User gets useful output in one message | Requires long setup conversations |
| Repeat use | Tool people use daily or weekly | One-time novelty |
| Clear name | Describes exactly what it does | Clever but confusing names |
| Quality output | Consistently useful results | Inconsistent or generic responses |
GPT Ideas with Business Revenue Potential
Optimizing Your GPT for the Store
Name and Description
Your GPT's name and first 50 characters of the description are what users see when browsing:
| Element | Best Practice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | 2-4 words, descriptive | "LinkedIn Post Pro" |
| First line of description | Lead with what it does | "Write engaging LinkedIn posts in 30 seconds" |
| Full description | Include key features and use cases | "Creates B2B LinkedIn content with hooks, formatting, and hashtags..." |
Profile Picture
- Use a clean, recognizable icon
- Avoid text-heavy images (they're hard to read at small sizes)
- Use the DALL-E generator in GPT Builder or upload your own
- Make it visually distinct from similar GPTs
Conversation Starters as Marketing
Your conversation starters are the first thing users interact with. Make them showcase your GPT's best features:
Promoting Your GPT Store Listing
Publishing to the store isn't enough — you need to drive initial users:
- Share on social media: Post about your GPT with examples of its output
- Write a blog post: Show use cases with before/after examples
- Communities: Share in relevant Reddit, Discord, or Slack communities (without spamming)
- Your existing audience: If you have a newsletter or following, tell them
- Cross-promote: Link to your GPT from your website or other content
From Free to Paid: Business Models Around GPTs
While the GPT Store itself uses revenue sharing, you can build business models around your GPTs:
| Model | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Lead generation | GPT provides value → captures email → sells premium service |
| Freemium | Basic GPT is free → premium version with more knowledge/features |
| Consulting upsell | GPT handles common tasks → complex needs go to paid consulting |
| Course companion | GPT supports a paid course or membership |
Key Takeaway
The GPT Store rewards specificity and genuine utility. Build GPTs that solve a narrow problem exceptionally well, optimize your listing for discovery, and promote through your existing channels. Start with one focused GPT, build a user base, and expand from there. In the final lesson, we'll cover how to scale your overall GPT strategy across your business.