Get ready, surfing the Google search engine is not free
Google site.
– Google plans to introduce a search engine feature powered by artificial intelligence (AI) called Search Generative Experience (SGE).
The US tech giant is expected to charge a fee to allow access to AI-powered searches.
According to gadget360, Google is adding AI chatbots to Search to create Snapshots, brief explanations of search queries, along with useful links that may offer more information.
At launch, they stated they planned to allow ads on Snapshots to generate revenue. However, based on this report, it seems that Google is now taking a different path.
The information comes from a Financial Times report, which cited unnamed sources. It is said that Google may charge a fee to allow access to AI-powered 'Search'.
That's because Google recently expanded its SGE testing to include users in the US, who didn't even sign up for the feature.
This change may not happen immediately. However, when the tech giant finally releases the service to the public, users may have to pay for it.
The report did not say whether a specific revenue system has been decided for the service.
However, speculation is that this system could be combined with the recently introduced Gemini Advanced subscription for the most advanced version of Gemini AI.
However, it can also be offered as a standalone service. This is because Google never charges users anything for using the 'Search' product.
This may impact website publishers who rely on traffic coming from Google 'Search' rankings for revenue.
SGE can also have a negative impact on them. The report highlights structured premium tiers are being planned as a solution to avoid losing advertiser revenue, making publishers happy. However, at the same time it creates new revenue opportunities through AI integration.