Google is considering charging for premium features to use its AI-powered search engine. The Financial Times reports this, citing sources familiar with the project. It would be the first time the tech giant charges for one of its core products and also a revolution in the world of search engines.
According to the report, Google is looking at a variety of options including integrating AI-powered search capabilities into its premium subscription services that already provide access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs. According to reports, engineers are developing the technology needed to implement the service but executives have not yet made a final decision on whether and when to launch it, one of the sources told the Financial Times. Google's traditional search engine would remain free and ads would continue to appear next to search results even for subscribers, the report added. Google reported $175 billion in revenue from search and related ads last year.
The possible move would be made by Big G also in an attempt to gain ground in the rapidly evolving AI sector where there is strong competition with Microsoft and OpenAi.
"We are not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we have done many times in the past, we will continue to build new features and premium services to enhance our subscription offerings on Google," the company told Reuters Online.
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