Google One Surpasses 150 Million Subscribers with Boost from AI Features
- tech360.tv
- 6 hours ago
- 1 min read
Google’s subscription service, Google One, has reached 150 million subscribers, marking a 50% increase since February 2024, the company said.
The surge follows the launch of a new USD 19.99 monthly plan that includes access to artificial intelligence tools not available to free users.
Google One, which originally offered cloud storage, now includes AI-powered features in its higher-tier plans. Lower-priced tiers remain available for users who only need file storage.
Shimrit Ben-Yair, Vice President at Google overseeing the service, said the new AI tier has attracted “millions” of subscribers.
The milestone highlights Alphabet’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on advertising, which made up over 75% of its USD 350 billion revenue in 2024.
The company’s push into subscriptions comes as AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini challenge traditional search engines.
An Apple executive recently testified that AI tools led to a decline in searches on the Safari browser for the first time. Apple is also exploring AI-powered search options.
Alphabet lost USD 150 billion in market value on the day of the testimony, reflecting investor concerns about the future of its search business.
Unlike search engines, AI platforms have yet to integrate advertising effectively. Many tech firms are turning to subscriptions or usage-based pricing to monetise AI.
CEO Sundar Pichai said in February that Google will continue to expand monetisation options for Gemini, with a focus on subscriptions in 2025.
Google One reaches 150 million subscribers, up 50% since February 2024
New USD 19.99/month AI tier draws millions of users
Alphabet shifts focus from ads to subscriptions amid AI disruption
Source: REUTERS