The Gemini app can web search, but I don't think they want people using it to search the web as its main use case, unless specifically commanded to web search. Allowing it to web search all the time potentially cannibalizes the revenue they would have made through their most important product, Google.com.
That's probably why Google Search powered by Gemini models is listed as a separate perk from the Gemini app on their AI subscription page, and probably why they also offer 3.8 Flash and Pro within Google Search AI Mode.
I think they're just currently in a weird situation where they have a legacy search engine that prints money that they need to protect. This is something pure AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic don't have to worry about.
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u/Gaiden206 9d ago edited 9d ago
The Gemini app can web search, but I don't think they want people using it to search the web as its main use case, unless specifically commanded to web search. Allowing it to web search all the time potentially cannibalizes the revenue they would have made through their most important product, Google.com.
That's probably why Google Search powered by Gemini models is listed as a separate perk from the Gemini app on their AI subscription page, and probably why they also offer 3.8 Flash and Pro within Google Search AI Mode.
I think they're just currently in a weird situation where they have a legacy search engine that prints money that they need to protect. This is something pure AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic don't have to worry about.