In 2026, Google’s AI is embracing that oldest and noblest of internet traditions: sponsored content. This new type of ad will be featured in Google’s “AI mode” — the AI chatbot which users can open on the side of a Google search — as well as the company’s Gemini chatbot. With the new AI ads, Google’s AI mode could suggest a few sponsored rugs in response to user queries, instead of whichever rugs might have normally populated the results. So while users might be growing wary of Google’s AI search tools, they can at least be sure of its money-hungry motives going forward. More on Google: Google Settles With Families Who Say It Killed Their Teen Children