Google is denying a report by Adweek that ads are coming to the Gemini app/interface in 2026. (For context, Gemini is separate from AI mode in Google Search and is Google’s dedicated gen AI chat experience.)
“There are no ads in the Gemini app and there are no current plans to change that,” says Google’s Dan Taylor. But “current” is the key word here. Of course, ads will arrive at some point—but what they look like, and when they appear, is still TBD. Taylor can refute and push back, but this feels more like an attempt to fend off an inevitability.
Why This Matters:
Interestingly, one of the bigger themes in 2025 hasn’t been companies denying ads, but AI-native players like OpenAI softening their once hardline stance against advertising. Still, everyone is moving cautiously. AI chat experiences depend on trust, and ads often feel at odds with that—something Sam Altman has pointed out directly when critiquing Google.
Against that backdrop, Google is treading carefully, especially as Gemini finally seems to be hitting its stride. Creators, public figures, and the overall vibe have shifted in Gemini’s favor lately thanks to Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro. Confirming an ad play at this moment doesn’t make much strategic sense. So, Google is pushing back, even if the Adweek piece appears well reported.
Experts React:
The Gemini ads news has been one of the top trending stories on X. Here are some interesting POVs on the news:
Our Take:
There will be ads in these services, eventually. They may look completely different from traditional formats, but ad-based monetization is inevitable. Google, however, can delay this for as long as it wants to protect the Gemini brand and experience, which is still scaling. It’s not like they’re hard up for cash.
