Report says Google may charge for its AI search engine features

Google is reportedly planning to launch an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search engine feature called Search Generated Experience (SGE) behind a paywall. Google has added an AI chatbot to Search to create snapshots — brief descriptions of search queries, along with helpful links that may provide more information. At the unveiling, the tech giant revealed plans to allow advertising to be used to generate revenue through Snapshot. However, Google now appears to be taking a different route, according to the report.

This information comes from the Financial Times Report, which cited unnamed people familiar with the matter as saying that Google may charge a fee to allow access to its artificial intelligence-driven search. The switch may not happen immediately, as the company just recently expanded SGE’s testing to include US users who haven’t even signed up for the feature. But when the tech giant finally releases the service to the public, users may have to pay.

The report doesn’t mention whether a specific revenue system has been identified for the service, but speculates that it could be bundled with the recently launched Gemini Advanced subscription for the most advanced version of Gemini AI. On the other hand, it is also available as a standalone service. The confusion makes sense given that Google has never charged end users anything to use its core search products.

The reason behind this layered segregation of AI capabilities is believed to have to do with keeping advertisers happy. According to the Financial Times, Google generated $175 billion (approximately Rs. 1,400 crore) in revenue from search, more than half of which came from sales. If the tech giant incorporates SGE into its traditional search engine, it could significantly reduce advertiser spending because users will be less likely to click on links to get information.

The other side of the equation are website publishers who rely on traffic from Google search rankings for revenue. SGE may also have a negative impact on them. The report highlights that the structured premium tier is being planned as a solution to avoid losing advertiser revenue and keep publishers happy, but at the same time create new revenue opportunities through AI integration.