Google plans to charge for AI-powered search engine

Google is considering charging for premium features on its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered search engine, the Financial Times reported.

The tech giant is considering a variety of options, including incorporating AI-powered search features into its premium subscription services, which already offer access to the new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs, the report said.

Shares of Google parent Alphabet fell about 1% in extended trading. The move would mark the first time Google has put any of its core products behind a paywall, as it seeks to gain a foothold in the rapidly growing AI space.

A “paywall” is a wall that separates content from readers, requiring them to pay a fee to “get through.”

Typically, readers will get to read a small number of articles for free, but they will need to pay if they want to access more in-depth articles.

The report added that Google's traditional search engine will remain free and ads will continue to appear alongside search results even for subscribers.

Google, which invented the technology that underpinned today's AI boom, is also competing with two industry players that have already attracted the attention of the business world: OpenAI and Microsoft.