Ads in your AI chatbot results may soon become the norm, but Google has denied a report saying it plans to bring them to Gemini next year.
A report from Adweek cited anonymous sources within the advertising industry who claim Google is briefing clients on plans to bring ads to Gemini in 2026.
Soon after publication, Google denied the report with Dan Taylor, vice president of global ads at Google, saying the claims are based on “uninformed, anonymous sources who are making inaccurate claims.”
Taylor also says, “There are no ads in the Gemini app and there are no current plans to change that.”
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Taylor’s comments are clear about the near future, but it also doesn’t deny Google may change strategy at a later date. Google will likely want to find a way to monetize its Gemini platform for those who don’t pay for a subscription. Google has begun testing ads in its AI Mode within Search, which is a newer feature than Gemini.
Google’s latest comments come at a time when its biggest rival is reportedly exploring bringing ads to its own tools. Recently spotted code within the ChatGPT app makes hidden references to features like “search ad” and “ad features,” although it’s unclear how these would eventually appear for users.
However, the project now appears to be on pause. OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, called a “code red” for employees in late November, motivated by Google’s increasingly powerful AI tools. Altman reportedly told employees to pause select projects, which included plans to bring ads to ChatGPT.
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OpenAI has recently been introducing apps to ChatGPT, which some users have misunderstood to be paid ads. The results recommend brands and products from the likes of Peloton or Target after searching for related topics.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, PCMag’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
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