When might users start seeing advertisements in Google’s popular Gemini AI app? According to a recent Adweek report, the answer could be as early as 2026, though Google strongly disputes these claims.
Adweek reported that Google has been discussing plans with advertising clients to introduce ads to the Gemini app by 2026. The conversations involved at least two major advertising clients and focused on ad placements that would be separate from the existing AI Mode feature. Agency buyers who participated in these private meetings spoke anonymously about the discussions, though they noted that specific details about ad formats, pricing, and testing procedures remained unclear.
Google reportedly held private meetings with major advertising clients to discuss potential ad placements in Gemini by 2026.
However, Google quickly pushed back against these reports. Dan Taylor, Google’s Vice President of Global Ads, called the Adweek story inaccurate and based on uninformed anonymous sources. He stated firmly that Google has no current plans to add advertisements to the Gemini app and emphasized that the app remains completely ad-free with no intentions to change that status.
This denial creates an interesting contradiction in the tech world. While Google publicly refuses any plans for Gemini ads, advertisers described their conversations with Google representatives as early-stage discussions about potential opportunities. These agencies expressed genuine interest in what could become a high-engagement advertising surface, even without seeing prototypes or technical specifications. Adweek stood by its reporting and pointed to Sundar Pichai’s comments about native ads in Gemini as supporting evidence for their claims.
Currently, Google does monetize AI through other channels. Ads already appear in AI Overviews within Google Search, and the company has expanded this feature to English-speaking countries. Google also introduced an Ads Advisor tool that uses AI to help smaller advertisers create media plans.
The speculation has sparked broader industry debate about monetizing AI chatbot experiences. Media outlets and analysts noted the quiet interest from agencies despite Google’s public denials. Some experts suggest that as AI products mature, finding sustainable revenue models becomes increasingly important. For companies considering future monetization, understanding how dividend payments work can provide insight into how businesses balance investor returns with operational funding for new ventures.
Adding complexity to the situation, Apple recently partnered with Google for a custom Gemini model integration with Siri, valued at $1 billion annually and expected by spring 2026. This development highlights the growing importance of AI partnerships and monetization strategies across the tech industry.
