Limited Incentives to Subscribe to Gemini Advanced Recently
Gemini Advanced is Google’s paid version of its AI chatbot, priced at $20 per month. Subscribing gives users early access to innovative AI models and unique functionalities, such as the ability to create personalized chatbots named “Gems.” This week, reports suggested that one exclusive feature, called Deep Research, currently only available to Advanced subscribers, may soon be accessible in a limited form to free users. This isn’t the first time features have transitioned from the paid version to the no-cost standard version; several other popular options, including Gemini Live, started as paid offerings before going free.
Deep Research is powered by the Gemini 1.5 Pro model and can perform online research, generating tailored reports based on its findings. While there has not been an official announcement about making Deep Research available for free, an APK teardown by the publication Android Authority hinted at a “freemium” version arriving soon. This likely means that standard users will gain some access to Deep Research but not at the full capacity currently enjoyed by Advanced subscribers. The free version might limit the number of sources available or restrict the number of reports that can be generated within a specific timeframe.
The movement of paid features to the free Gemini experience reduces the motivation for users to maintain a paid subscription. In recent months, various significant Advanced features have transitioned to the free version. For instance, in May, Advanced users gained the ability to analyze different file types, including PDFs and Word documents. As of last month, this functionality is now available to all users, free of charge. Additionally, late last month, the Code Assist feature, initially launched as Duet AI, became available for free users, albeit with somewhat limited capabilities compared to its Advanced counterpart.
Moreover, the “Saved Info” feature, which allows Gemini to remember user information for future interactions, was also made available to free-tier users after debuting months prior as part of the Advanced subscription.
This pattern of debuting flashy features on the paid service and shortly thereafter offering them to all users is becoming apparent with Gemini’s development. While the Advanced option still provides early access to newer AI models, many casual users find the free version to be increasingly sufficient. The main benefit of the paid plan seems to be the inclusion of a substantial amount of Google Drive storage, rather than access to unique features.
Despite the investment into Gemini Advanced, Google may not necessarily rely on this revenue stream to fund its AI initiatives. AI services often run at a loss, especially in today’s market where competition is high, with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic also facing financial challenges while pursuing growth. Google’s strategy of charging for Gemini Advanced at a price point that excludes the casual user base might be intended to manage resources and gather data efficiently, focusing on insights from a smaller segment of dedicated users.
For most casual users, the current offerings of Gemini make the free version very appealing, particularly since features are frequently rolled out without additional cost. Those who might find a specific Advanced feature beneficial could be among a minority, while many users can expect that the functionalities they desire will likely become available for free shortly after being introduced to the paid version.
