What you need to know
In a noteworthy development during Alphabet’s recent earnings call, Philipp Schindler, Google’s chief business officer, indicated that the prospect of integrating advertisements into the Gemini platform is being revisited. This revelation comes as the company explores new advertising formats tailored for its AI Mode, potentially paving the way for ads within the Gemini app if initial tests yield positive results.
- Schindler emphasized the historical significance of ads in scaling products to reach vast audiences, stating, “Ads have always been a big part of scaling products to reach billions of people.”
- He further noted that when executed effectively, advertisements can provide valuable and beneficial commercial information.
- Interestingly, discussions about incorporating ads into Gemini first surfaced in late 2025 but were dismissed by another executive at that time.
The notion of ads permeating our digital experiences is not new, yet the potential for their introduction into Gemini raises questions among users. As Google navigates this new venture, the sentiment among some observers is mixed. While there is a belief that ads could enhance user experience if done thoughtfully, the concern remains: do we truly need more advertisements in our daily digital interactions?
In December, whispers of Google engaging with advertisers to prepare for Gemini’s ad integration began circulating on social media. However, details regarding the format and placement of these ads—whether they would appear on the web app or mobile—remain vague.
Despite the excitement surrounding the potential for ads, a statement from Ginny Marvin, Google Ads product liaison, clarified the current stance: “In short, there are no ads in the Gemini app, and there are no current plans to change that.” This suggests that while discussions are ongoing, the implementation of ads is not imminent.
Alphabet’s earnings call showcased robust financial performance, with the company reporting 9.9 billion in revenue—a remarkable 22% increase year-over-year. The success of Gemini was highlighted as a key driver behind growth in Search, Cloud, and subscription services, reinforcing Alphabet’s commitment to advancing its AI initiatives.
