Google Tests Ads in AI Mode, Gemini Ads Not Ruled Out
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- Google is testing ads in AI Mode, a Search product powered by Gemini, and says learnings may carry over to a Gemini app.
- Nick Fox says Google is “not ruling out” ads in Gemini, despite earlier statements from DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis that there were no plans.
- Gemini has grown to over 750 million monthly active users, up from 350 million a year ago, while OpenAI is testing ads on ChatGPT’s free tier in the U.S.
- Google reported $400 billion in revenue for 2025, giving it leeway to experiment with ads without rushing monetization.
- Personal Intelligence, launched in January, lets Gemini access Gmail, Photos, and Calendar, and Google assures advertisers data isn’t sold and ads remain clearly labeled.
- Anthropic aired a Super Bowl ad warning about AI ads, and Perplexity stopped its own ad experiments in February, highlighting industry debate over ad safety and trust.
Why it matters: Google’s willingness to test ads in Gemini could unlock a new revenue stream from its 750 million‑plus users, while advertisers gain a highly personalized channel; at the same time, the move intensifies competition with OpenAI’s ad‑tested ChatGPT and raises privacy concerns highlighted by rivals like Anthropic.
