ChatGPT Ads Location Targeting: Countries, Regions and Metro Markets
· 3 min read
For local and regional businesses, location targeting is the most important ChatGPT Ads setting after the objective. Get it wrong and you pay for clicks from people you can't serve. Here's how it works.
What you can target
ChatGPT Ads supports three levels of location targeting (OpenAI docs):
| Level | Example | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | National brands, ecommerce |
| Region | California | State-licensed services, regional chains |
| Market | San Francisco – Oakland – San Jose | Local businesses serving a metro area |
Each location has an ID. You search for locations by name in Ads Manager (or the API's location lookup), and OpenAI publishes a downloadable location catalog.
Note: Availability varies. A country code being valid doesn't mean it's open for advertising in your account. Check the catalog and Ads Manager for what's currently supported.
Exclusions
You can also exclude locations. A common example is targeting the United States but excluding a state you can't serve. Inclusion and exclusion lists can each hold up to 2,500 location IDs.
The mistake that wastes the most money
Excluding locations isn't the same as targeting one. OpenAI is explicit: to target only the U.S., include it. Excluding other countries doesn't restrict delivery to the U.S. (OpenAI Help Center).
And if you set no location targeting at all, the campaign can deliver in all available locations.
Want help launching ChatGPT Ads? Book a strategy call with Zagare Labs.
Book a strategy callContext hints don't replace location targeting
It's tempting to write a context hint like "plumbers in Austin". OpenAI specifically advises against using hints for geography. Restrict delivery with location targeting, and use hints to describe the service and customer need (more on context hints).
You should still mention your area in your ad copy and landing page ("Serving the Austin metro area"). It helps visitors decide quickly whether you're relevant.
How local businesses should set it up
- Target the metro market (or markets) you actually serve. If you serve two metros, consider separate campaigns so each has its own budget and reporting.
- Use regions for licensing boundaries. Lawyers, contractors and insurance providers often can only serve certain states.
- Match the landing page to the area. A page that names the city and shows your service area converts better than a generic homepage.
- Compare markets in reporting. ChatGPT Ads reporting can break performance down by country. For finer comparison, run separate campaigns per market.
Before you update targeting
When you update a campaign's location or audience targeting, the update can replace the existing settings. Always check the campaign's current targeting first, then save the full set of locations and exclusions you want to keep.
Location targeting for product-feed campaigns
Product-feed (shopping-style) campaigns currently support geographic targeting and exclusions at the country level only. Product labels such as "available in California" don't restrict who sees the ad. Use campaign-level targeting for that.
Quick checklist
- Included the countries, regions or markets you serve (not just excluded others)
- Excluded areas you can't serve
- Separate campaigns for markets you want to budget and compare separately
- Ad copy and landing page mention your service area
- Reviewed existing targeting before saving changes
Setting up campaigns by market is part of our ChatGPT Ads setup service, especially useful for multi-location businesses.
Related service: ChatGPT Ads Setup
Frequently asked questions
Can I target a single city with ChatGPT Ads?
You can target supported regions (such as a U.S. state) and metro markets. Check OpenAI's location catalog for what's available in your area.
If I exclude other countries, will my ads only show in the U.S.?
No. To target only the U.S., include it explicitly. Excluding other countries doesn't restrict delivery to the U.S.
Michael Zagare
Founder of Zagare Labs and creator of PPC Entourage (acquired by Carbon6)
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