Google, Consider Charging for Premium Features on AI-Based Search Engine

Google is considering charging a premium feature on search engines (photo: dock. pexels)

JAKARTA - According to a Financial Times report on  Wednesday, March 3, Google is considering charging for premium features on its artificial intelligence (AI) based search engine. The report cited people familiar with the plan.

The tech company is considering various options, including integrating an AI-powered search feature into its premium subscription service, which currently provides access to a new AI assistant called Gemini within Gmail and Docs.

The move would be the first time Google has hidden one of its core products behind a paywall, as the company seeks to gain ground in the fast-moving AI space. Its traditional search engine will remain free and ads will continue to appear with search results even for subscription customers, the report added.

"We are not working on or considering a search experience without ads. As we have done many times before, we will continue to build new capabilities and premium services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google," Google said as quoted by VOI from Reuters.

Google, which created the underlying technology that led to the current AI boom, is also engaged in a battle with two industry players that have caught the attention of the business world - ChatGPT creator OpenAI and its backer Microsoft.