Google’s subscription service now has more than 150 million users

Google One has exceeded 150 million subscribers, fueled by a new AI initiative, enhancing Alphabet’s efforts in revenue diversification.

Google One, Alphabet’s cloud storage and artificial intelligence (AI) subscription service, has achieved a notable milestone of 150 million subscribers, as announced by the company.

This represents a 50% growth since February 2024, when the service exceeded 100 million users, nearly six years following its initial launch.

In that same month, Google launched a new plan priced at $19.99 per month, providing access to AI features exclusive to paying users.

The company is maintaining its lower-priced subscription tiers that emphasize file storage, lacking many AI features. However, the newly introduced AI-focused plan has reportedly drawn in “millions” of users, as stated by Shimrit Ben-Yair, the vice president at Google overseeing the subscription service.

Google One plays a role in Alphabet’s approach to lessen its dependence on advertising, which made up over three-quarters of its $350 billion revenue in 2024.

The effectiveness of the subscription model may be vital to Alphabet’s financial prospects as the company faces the challenges presented by AI chatbots, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s own Gemini, which pose a risk to its leadership in the search engine industry.

The emergence of AI solutions has already influenced search traffic, with Apple noting a decrease in searches on its Safari browser for the first time, as disclosed during a recent court testimony.

In reaction, Apple is investigating AI-driven search alternatives, posing a possible challenge for Alphabet, which experienced a $150 billion decline in market value on the day of the announcement.

In contrast to conventional search engines, AI-driven interfaces have not yet achieved a seamless integration of advertising.

Consequently, numerous companies are choosing to implement subscription models or fees based on usage for their users.

In response to concerns regarding the monetization of its AI initiatives, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai mentioned in February that the company would provide flexible options over time, akin to its strategy with YouTube, while primarily concentrating on subscription-based revenue in the short term.