Google may make its Search with AI features payable

Move to enhance Google's search engine using cutting-edge AI technology

Google seeks to maintain its edge by offering superior user experiences

Google is reportedly considering a significant shift in its business strategy by introducing a premium subscription model for select AI-powered features within its Search platform. 

Note that while the traditional search with ads will remain free, users interested in advanced AI functionalities may be charged. 

These features are expected to be integrated into existing subscription services like Gemini Advanced or Google One, with advertisements retained even in the premium tier.

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The move aims to enhance Google’s search engine using cutting-edge AI technology, while ensuring consistent revenue from ads, which reportedly amounted to $175 billion last year. 

With competitors like OpenAI posing challenges in the AI domain, Google seeks to maintain its edge by offering superior user experiences.

This initiative traces back to the introduction of Google’s AI-powered search service, the Search Generative Experience (SGE), which employs AI algorithms to provide concise summaries alongside search results and ads. However, integrating SGE into the primary search engine has been sluggish due to computational resource demands.

While SGE promises improved user experiences, it poses challenges to Google’s established business model, potentially reducing ad impressions if AI provides complete answers. Google is reportedly addressing this concern, although details on the launch timeline remain undisclosed.