Google Disputes Report Claiming Ads Are Coming to Gemini in 2026

Google is disputing a report that alleged the company plans to introduce advertising to its Gemini AI chatbot next year, stating that the claims are inaccurate and not reflective of any current roadmap.

The clarification came after Adweek published a story asserting that Google had informed advertising clients about a 2026 rollout for ads in the standalone Gemini app. The report prompted a rare, immediate public response from senior Google leadership.

Disputed Claims

The Adweek report, written by Trishla Ostwal, said Google representatives had briefed at least two advertising clients on preliminary plans to bring ad placements to Gemini. Citing anonymous agency buyers, the story claimed Google discussed the possibility of future ad formats and pricing structures, though no prototypes or technical specifications were provided. The reported initiative was described as distinct from advertisements currently being tested in Google’s AI-assisted search experiences.

Google’s Public Response

Dan Taylor, Google’s Vice President of Global Ads, publicly rejected the report shortly after publication. Posting on X, Taylor stated: “This story is based on uninformed, anonymous sources who are making inaccurate claims. There are no ads in the Gemini app and there are no current plans to change that.”

Google’s AdsLiaison account reiterated the company’s position, emphasizing that the Gemini app remains ad-free and that no internal plans exist to introduce advertising to the chatbot. The account noted that ads do appear in other AI-driven surfaces, including AI Overviews in English in the United States, with expansion underway to additional English-speaking markets. Advertisements are also being tested in Google’s AI Mode search interface.

Logan Kilpatrick, a member of the Gemini team, publicly acknowledged Taylor’s statement, adding visibility to Google’s denial.

AI Monetization Elsewhere in Google’s Ecosystem

While Google insists Gemini will remain free of ads for the foreseeable future, the company continues to monetize other AI-powered search features. Earlier this year, ads began appearing in AI Overviews, Google’s generative search summaries, which have since expanded to more markets. Experiments involving ads in AI Mode also remain active.

These initiatives reflect a broader industry challenge: finding sustainable revenue models for large-scale generative AI systems. Running advanced conversational models is resource-intensive, and major players—including Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic—are exploring monetization strategies across their ecosystems.

Industry Context

The discussion around advertising in AI chatbots has intensified as generative AI usage becomes mainstream. Companies face pressure to align operational costs with revenue generation, particularly as AI assistants increasingly replace or supplement traditional search pathways where ad models are well-established.

Recent findings in OpenAI’s Android app code suggested potential development of an advertising framework, though the company has not confirmed any formal plans. The discovery underscores how major AI developers are evaluating monetization options, even as public messaging remains cautious.

What Comes Next

Google maintains that Gemini users will not encounter ads within the chatbot app. Whether this position remains fixed will depend on competitive pressures, user expectations, and the evolving economics of generative AI.

For now, the company’s public statements indicate that ad monetization efforts will continue focusing on search-related AI features—not Gemini itself.