Earlier this month, Google announced plans to limit access to its newer AI models to those who don’t subscribe to its AI services or pay for the base AI Plus tier. The latter, a $4.99/month demand, will now grant users access only to the Flash and Flash Lite models, putting Pro options out of reach. Free users will no longer be able to access newer Gemini models while AI Pro and Ultra subscribers remain unaffected.
The change took effect this past Friday, and it’s understandable that some paying netizens feel this is a bit of a rug pull. Prior to the announcement, Plus subscribers could freely access Pro models allowing for more complex query crunching. This is no longer the case.