Reports say that Google will launch advertising services on Gemini next year, but Google denies it

Whether Google's AI chatbot Gemini can become a new advertising platform is currently embroiled in a "Rashomon" situation. The conflicting public statements from advertising industry buyers and tech company executives highlight the uncertainty of AI monetization paths and the market's heightened attention to this emerging advertising scenario.

On Tuesday, according to AdWeek, Google recently revealed in communications with advertisers that it plans to introduce advertising in its AI chatbot Gemini by 2026. Buyers from at least two advertising agencies confirmed that Google representatives mentioned this timeline in separate calls, but specific details regarding ad formats, pricing, and testing remain unclear.

Dan Taylor, Google's Vice President of Global Ads, immediately publicly denied this report on the social media platform X. He stated, "This report is based on uninformed anonymous sources who made inaccurate claims. There are no ads in the Gemini application, and there are currently no plans to change that."

This contradictory statement has drawn market attention, as advertisers are closely monitoring monetization opportunities within AI assistants, with many viewing it as the next significant frontier in advertising.

Advertisers Informed of 2026 Launch Plan

According to buyers from advertising agencies familiar with the discussions, Google informed advertisers in recent calls that the target for Gemini's advertising rollout is set for 2026. One buyer, who requested anonymity, stated that this plan is separate from the advertising rollout in the AI Mode launched in March this year. AI Mode is Google's AI-driven search experience.

Both buyers indicated that Google did not share any prototypes or technical details about how ads would be presented in Gemini. They described these discussions as exploratory in nature, with minimal technical details. This is the first time advertisers have heard directly from Google about monetization information regarding the Gemini chatbot.

Google Executives Publicly Refute the Report

Dan Taylor directly responded on the X platform, stating that AdWeek's report is based on "informed anonymous sources" with "inaccurate claims." He explicitly stated that there are no ads in the Gemini application and that there are currently no plans to change this situation.

This public denial sharply contrasts with the statements from advertising buyers, highlighting Google's cautious approach to AI monetization strategies or differences between internal communications and external statements.

Competition in the AI Advertising Market Intensifies

The advertising industry is maintaining a high level of attention to the advertising opportunities within AI assistants. Any initiative to add paid advertising slots in a highly engaging chatbot could reshape advertising budget allocations, alter user behavior, and create a new advertising interface independent of search.

The debate over whether AI chatbots should remain purely practical tools or evolve into new advertising platforms is heating up. Even the early rumors about introducing ads in Gemini have prompted advertising agencies to begin formulating corresponding plans.

Currently, Google insists that Gemini remains ad-free, but competitors are already testing ways to profit from AI, and advertisers are eager to seek new advertising scenarios. The debate surrounding Gemini advertising will not disappear; only the timeline will change