Google Search May ask fee for its AI features soon

Google has been working on new AI search features for its Google Search for some time now. One thing to note is that some of the features like search generative experience don’t really mesh well with the concept of an ad-supported web. Apart from content creators, Google also gets a large part of its revenue from ads. Apart from this, investments are also being made to create AI models that will benefit end users. While Google’s intention was to improve the search experience, especially the general ad-supported Google search will remain free.

Google may offer AI-based search feature with a price tag in the coming time, reports Financial Times. Google Sources suggest that AI-based features could become part of Google’s existing subscription service like Google One. Interestingly, the report claims that even the paid experience will not be able to remove ads. This clearly shows the importance of ads in Google’s business model even today.

It seems that their aim is to remain everyone’s choice. While some people would be willing to pay for an AI-based helpful search experience, most probably would not want to pay for something they have used for free so far. A survey has shown that more than 70 percent of people are willing to stick with the free plan. Talking about Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), it is still under testing and as Google notes, it is not yet ready for a product-grade service.