Observed Signal · May 17, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: t3n · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google updates Gemini usage limits
Google changed usage limits for its Gemini apps, with the new rules taking effect on May 17, 2026. Limits are computed based on resource usage rather than a fixed request count: factors include request complexity, chat length, and use of features such as video, music, image generation, Deep Think, Deep Research and Pro models. Google says limits refresh every five hours until a user's weekly cap is reached. Free accounts have standard limits; paid tiers increase capacity (AI Plus = 2x, AI Pro = 4x, AI Ultra = 5x or 20x depending on plan). Users can view their consumption while logged into the same Google account at gemini.google.com/usage. The changes apply to users aged 18 and over.
Policy/product limit change from Google (major platform) affects accessibility, user engagement and paid-tier differentiation for a widely used LLM product.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Changes to Gemini usage limits took effect on May 17, 2026.
- Google switched to compute-based limits that consider request complexity, chat length and feature usage rather than fixed prompt counts.
- Usage limits are updated every five hours until a user's weekly cap is reached, per Google's support page.
- Paid Gemini subscriptions raise limits: AI Plus = 2× standard, AI Pro = 4× standard; AI Ultra can be 5× or 20× AI Pro depending on the plan.
- Users can check their current usage at gemini.google.com/usage while logged in with the same Google account.
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Google Cuts AI Subscription Price, Doubles Storage
Google has significantly reduced the price of its entry-level AI subscription, Google AI Plus, from €7.99 to €4.99 per month and doubled included cloud storage from 200 GB to 400 GB. The change was announced on X by Vikas Kansal, who is responsible for Gemini subscriptions at Google. Google AI Plus includes higher usage limits for the Gemini assistant and integrates features such as the Gemini Omni video AI and an upcoming AI inbox in Gmail. Google continues to offer higher-tier plans: AI Pro (€21.99/month, 5 TB storage, higher Gemini limits and Pro model access) and AI Ultra (€99.99/month, 20 TB, top-tier Gemini limits and additional perks). The price move follows competitive discounting in markets like India and could signal a broader West‑ern price competition among AI providers.
Gemini's personalized AI image generation now free in U.S.
Google announced that the Gemini app is making its personalized, Nano Banana–powered image generation feature free for all eligible U.S. users starting June 29, 2026. The capability, which had been restricted to Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers, is part of Gemini’s Personal Intelligence — an opt-in system that leverages a user’s Google account data (Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, Search) to tailor images and can pull actual photos from Google Photos. Personal Intelligence is enabled by default for prompts but can be turned off via a Tools-menu toggle. The broader Gemini app has recently added other features and updates (Daily Brief, Gemini Omni video, Gemini Spark agent) and the product surpassed 750 million monthly active users earlier in the year.
Google's Gemini App Reaches 1 Billion Users
Google announced on Aug 11, 2026 that its Gemini app surpassed 1 billion monthly active users, becoming the company’s 14th product to reach that milestone and, it says, the fastest‑growing product in Google history. Gemini is available as a standalone app and integrated across Search, Workspace, Android and services like Ask Maps. Google reported product-level usage: 63% of users interact via voice, 20% use screensharing, and 38% of student learning queries include file uploads. The app generates more than 150 million AI images per day (attributed to the Nano Banana 2 model), has over 100 million active iOS users, and added a dedicated Mac app in April 2026. Google continues to roll out new models and features such as Gemini 3.5 Flash.
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