Google Expands AdSense to Include Ads in Third-Party AI Chatbot Conversations

Google is reportedly expanding its ad network to include advertisements within conversations with some third-party AI chatbots. According to Bloomberg, which cited anonymous sources familiar with the matter, the company began testing this new feature earlier this year with AI search startups iAsk and Liner. A Google spokesperson confirmed the initiative, stating, “AdSense for Search is available for websites that want to show relevant ads in their conversational AI experiences.” This move is seen as part of Google's broader strategy to capitalize on the growing trend of users turning to AI chatbots for web searches and answers to common queries. With the rise of popular AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity, Google faces significant competition and potential threats to its dominant position in the search market. To stay competitive, the company has been investing heavily in AI tools and products. Google has developed a range of large language models and has been frequently updating its Gemini AI applications and models. In late 2022, Google took an initial step by integrating ads into AI Overviews, which are AI-generated summaries provided for certain search queries. This latest expansion into chatbot interactions further underscores Google's efforts to integrate advertising seamlessly into AI-driven user experiences, leveraging the vast amounts of data and sophisticated algorithms at its disposal. While the exact impact of this move on user experience and ad performance remains to be seen, it aligns with Google's ongoing commitment to innovate and adapt to new technologies. The introduction of ads in AI chatbot conversations could potentially lead to new revenue streams for both Google and third-party developers, but it also raises questions about user privacy and the integrity of AI-generated content. Google did not immediately respond to a detailed request for comment on the specifics of this new feature. However, the company's actions highlight its proactive approach to maintaining its leadership in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to redefine how we interact with information, Google's ad strategies will likely play a crucial role in shaping the digital landscape.