Google to Restrict Free Access to Advanced Gemini Models

Google is set to restrict free users' access to its Gemini chatbot models starting October 9. According to an update spotted by 9to5Google, free and AI Plus users will lose access to the 3.6 Flash and 3.1 Pro models. Free users will be limited to the 3.5 Flash-Lite model, while AI Plus subscribers will soon receive an email notifying them of the loss of access to the 3.1 Pro model.

Google's Gemini models are divided into three tiers: Flash-Lite, Flash, and Pro. Flash-Lite is the lightest and fastest, Flash is the middle option, and Pro is the most advanced. Currently, free users have limited access to all three models. The 3.6 Flash model will require Google’s $4.99-per-month AI Plus plan, and the 3.1 Pro model will need a $19.99-per-month AI Pro subscription. Students can still get a year of Google’s AI Pro plan for free.

Additionally, Google is introducing a new feature that allows users to choose the level of effort each model puts into their queries, with options for low, medium, or high. The company notes that this feature will increase the model’s ability to complete tasks and provide more thorough answers but will also use more of the user’s limit. The calculation of usage will factor in the complexity of the prompt, the features used, and the length of the chat.

Compared to the free plan, Google’s AI Plus and Pro plans offer 2x and 5x Gemini usage limits, respectively. This is the second time Google has overhauled its AI plans this year, with the latest changes coming as storage and component costs continue to rise, potentially affecting the company's AI infrastructure spending.