Google signals plans for ads in Gemini app after testing ad formats in AI Mode

Alphabet Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler stated during the Q1 2026 earnings call that Google is developing ad formats for AI Mode in Search, with the Gemini app as a follow-up. However, Google VP of Global Ads Dan Taylor publicly countered, saying there are no current plans for Gemini ads. The conflicting signals mirror OpenAI's advertising framework code found in the ChatGPT Android app. The potential introduction of ads into one of the last major ad-free AI surfaces would represent a significant shift in the $600B+ digital advertising market.