Google is working to incorporate generative artificial intelligence into its traditional web search results, but Ars Technica reports that ads might not be enough to cover the costs (and need to profit) from these results.
Kyle Orland writes:
Under the proposed plan, Google’s standard search (without AI) would remain free, and subscribers to a paid AI search tier would still see ads alongside their Gemini-powered search results, according to the FT report. But search ads—which brought in a reported $175 billion for Google last year—might not be enough to fully cover the increased costs involved with AI-powered search.
Going back to the days of Altavista, users are accustomed to performing their Internet searches for free, and search companies have competed for their queries. (Microsoft has even tried to bribe pay users to use its Bing search engine via its Microsoft Rewards program.) But performing a generative AI computation is much more expensive (in terms of processor cycles and electricity) than a traditional web search.