Google Gemini switches to compute-based limits, sparks user backlash at I/O 2026
At Google I/O 2026, Google replaced Gemini’s daily prompt limits with a compute-based system factoring prompt complexity and features, resetting every five hours with weekly caps. Paid users on Pro ($20/month) and new Ultra plans ($100–$200/month) faced stricter quotas, with some prompts consuming up to 13–30% of their allowance. After widespread backlash, Google tripled Antigravity limits twice but left other Gemini restrictions unchanged, drawing accusations of a bait-and-switch.
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Google boosts Gemini quotas for Antigravity users after backlash over restrictive limits
Google faced backlash after quietly reducing Gemini AI Pro usage limits, prompting accusations of a bait-and-switch from paid users. In response, Varun Mohan, Director at Google DeepMind, announced two separate quota boosts for Antigravity users, effectively increasing limits by 9x compared to the post-nerf state. The higher limits apply only within Antigravity, not to Gemini as a whole, leaving many paid users still feeling restricted. Critics note that even with the increase, limits remain lower than before the original rollback. The incident suggests Google underestimated how heavily users integrate Gemini into workflows like coding and research, and the rapid reversal is seen as damage control rather than generosity.
Android AuthorityGoogle triples Gemini usage limits for Antigravity twice after user backlash
Google has raised usage limits for its Gemini AI models within the Antigravity coding tool twice in response to user frustration. The new compute-based limits, announced at Google I/O, initially caused users to hit their weekly quotas within an hour of work. Google responded by tripling the rate limits on Wednesday and resetting weekly quotas for all paid users. Later that night, Google again tripled the weekly quota limits. Varun Mohan, a Director at DeepMind working on Antigravity, acknowledged the issue and confirmed the second reset. Despite these increases, users note the limits remain lower than before the changes, and no adjustments have been made to Gemini limits outside of Antigravity.
9to5GoogleGemini's new compute-based usage limits go live, frustrating existing users
Google has implemented new compute-based usage limits for its Gemini AI service following I/O 2026, replacing the previous less restrictive system. The new limits factor in prompt complexity, features used, and chat length, with weekly caps and resets every five hours. The free tier remains generous, but paid plans see significant changes: AI Plus ($7.99/month) doubles free limits, AI Pro ($19.99/month) quadruples them, while AI Ultra plans ($100-$200/month) offer 5x to 20x Pro limits. Google sent emails notifying users of the change effective May 20. Early user reactions on Reddit are largely negative, with complaints about stricter limits, confusing wording comparing Pro to free plans rather than previous Pro benefits, and reduced value per dollar. Google has partially acknowledged the backlash by raising some rate limits. The changes reflect broader industry trends of tightening AI resource allocation amid hardware supply shortages.
9to5GoogleGoogle AI Pro Plan Quietly Downgraded with New Credit-Based Usage Limits
Google has quietly changed the usage limits on its $20/month Google AI Pro plan, replacing the previous fixed-message count system with a new credit-based quota system. The change, which coincided with Google I/O 2026 announcements including a new $100/month AI Ultra plan, now means that complex prompts and AI tools can consume a large portion of a user's available quota. Users are reporting that a single prompt can use up to 13% of their quota, with some AI Plus features consuming nearly 30% in one go. The new system uses a rolling five-hour usage window and weekly quotas based on prompt intensity. The limits apply across Gemini features inside apps like Google Photos and other Google services. Many users on Reddit have criticized the change, calling it a scam and expressing dissatisfaction with the reduced value compared to the previous system.
Latest from Android CentralGemini app switches to compute-based usage limits; AI Ultra subscription starts at $100
Google announced at I/O 2026 that the Gemini app is moving from daily prompt limits to a compute-based usage model, factoring prompt complexity, features used, and chat length. Limits refresh every five hours until a weekly cap is reached, with users shifted to smaller models if exceeded. Pay-as-you-go top-up AI credits will be introduced. The AI Ultra subscription now starts at $100 per month, targeting developers and advanced creators, offering 5x higher usage limits than the Pro plan, Gemini 3.5 Flash integration, priority access to Google Antigravity, 20TB cloud storage, and YouTube Premium. The previous $250 plan is reduced to $200 with the same capabilities, including 20x higher limits and Project Genie access.
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