A report from AdWeek claimed Google privately told clients it plans to introduce ads in its Gemini AI chatbot in 2026 — but Google’s top ads executive is publicly denying it.
Driving the news. AdWeek reported that Google reps, in recent calls with major advertisers, suggested that Gemini would get ad placements in 2026, separate from the company’s existing ads in AI Mode, the AI-powered search experience launched in March.
- Buyers said no prototypes, formats, or pricing were shown.
- The conversations were described as exploratory and lacked technical detail.
Google says that’s wrong. Dan Taylor, Google’s VP of Global Ads, disputed the report directly on X, writing:
- “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.”
Why we care. Advertisers are watching closely for monetization inside AI assistants, seen as the next major ad frontier. Conflicting signals about ads in Gemini hint at where Google may be headed with AI monetization, even if the company publicly denies immediate plans. Any move to bring paid placements into a high-engagement chatbot could reshape budgets, shift user behavior, and introduce an entirely new ad surface separate from search.
Between the lines. The tension highlights a broader industry debate: whether AI chatbots should remain utility tools or evolve into new ad surfaces. Even speculation about ads inside Gemini is enough to spark planning discussions among agencies.
What’s next. For now, Google insists Gemini remains ad-free. But with rivals exploring AI monetization and advertiser demand growing, the question isn’t going away — even if the timeline is.
Dig Deeper. Report from AdWeek (registered account needed).