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Google started to (quietly) insert (self) ads into Gemini output

Google started to (quietly) insert (self) ads into Gemini output

by rdslw·Feb 20, 2026·4 points·1 comment

AI Analysis

Pass

Unverified allegation about Google's product behavior masquerading as Show HN submission.

Strengths
  • Raises valid concern about potential conflicts between ad incentives and LLM output integrity
Weaknesses
  • No reproducible demo, no code, purely anecdotal observation—belongs on HN discussion, not Show HN
  • Relies on single subjective interpretation of a screenshot without technical evidence
Category
Target Audience

AI users, privacy advocates

Post Description

I was using today a Gemini (3.1 pro), and had a long conversation about mobile operators offering on gemini.google.com. In one of the replies, completely out of context (topic), gemini added: "By the way, to have access to all features, please enable Gemini Apps Activity." Last three words were a link to https://myactivity.google.com/product/gemini.

:-O

NB: 1. this conversation was not about google/activities, etc. completely other topic.

2. I do not have app activity enabled

3. Google in many different places try convince users to allow them to have history and data (app activity).

4. I dont know if this is a result of training, or text insertion via API, nevertheless it was directly within paragraph of other text (response) generated by the gemini (sic!)

We, discuss ads by openai, but here is in big black letters, one of the googles dark pattern directly in model response.

BTW: gemini pro 3.1 really nailed this task and provided a lot of useful information.

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