2 min read
Google’s latest AI rollout is already creating confusion for users trying to understand what they can access for free and what now sits behind a paywall. The company recently introduced its new Gemini 3 Pro model along with the Nano Banana Pro, which is built on the same system. At launch, Google allowed free Gemini users to run up to five prompts per day, matching the earlier limit for Gemini 2.5 Pro. Free users could also generate up to three images per day with Nano Banana Pro.
However, things quietly shifted over the past few days. Google updated its official website and replaced the clear numerical limits with a vague promise of “Basic access” for anyone not subscribed to the AI Pro or AI Ultra plans. The same unclear language now appears under Nano Banana Pro as well. As a result, free users are left guessing how much access they still have.
Google clearly wants more people upgrading to its paid tiers, but the sudden wording change also hints at soaring demand. Usage is likely spiking as more users experiment with the new model. Even so, Google still offers some level of free interaction with its top-tier AI, which keeps the door open for casual users who are not ready to pay.
The shift marks another sign of how quickly AI access rules are evolving. It also raises new questions about how long tech companies will maintain meaningful free access as their models grow more powerful and more expensive to run.
