Google wants to charge for AI search service

The proposal would mark the first time Google has charged for any of its core products and shows it feels threatened in its advertising business, nearly a year and a half after the launch of ChatGPT.

Google began testing an AI-powered search service last May, offering more detailed answers to queries. Photo: FT

Google is considering options including adding some AI-powered search features to its premium subscription services, such as providing access to the new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs, according to three people familiar with Google's plans.

One source said engineers are developing the necessary technology to deploy the service, but executives have yet to make a final decision on whether or not to launch it, and when.

Google's traditional search engine will remain free, while ads will continue to appear alongside search results even for subscribers.

But charging a fee would be the first time Google – after years of providing a free consumer service funded entirely by advertising – would make people pay for its core search service.

Google reported $175 billion in revenue from search and advertising last year, but is facing competitive threats following the explosion of AI, a tool that could determine the future of search services in just a few years.

Since November 2022, when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, Google has been working to counter the competitive threat posed by this extremely popular chatbot. ChatGPT can provide quick and comprehensive answers to a wide range of questions, rendering Google's traditional search engines redundant and potentially reducing its advertising revenue.

Microsoft, which has a close partnership with OpenAI, launched an improved AI-based search feature and a chatbot—now called Copilot—in its Bing search engine over a year ago. However, their new AI features have yet to boost Bing's market share, which remains far behind Google.

Some analysts have warned that Google's advertising business could be affected if its AI search engine provides complete answers without requiring users to visit advertisers' websites.

In particular, many media and news organizations that rely on Google for views are concerned that fewer users will access their sites if Google's AI search feature extracts all the information from news websites and displays it directly to users in the results page.

Hoang Hai (according to FT)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/google-muon-tinh-phi-doi-voi-dich-vu-tim-kiem-ai-post290609.html