Google Cuts Free Access to Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro as Demand Surges
Google tightens free access to Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro due to high demand, updates usage rules, and trims NotebookLM features for non-subscribers.
In response to rising demand, Google has tightened free access to two popular AI services: Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro. The changes also impact NotebookLM, with non-subscribers losing access to some features. This update aims to balance usage while preserving access for casual users, though limits can vary with load.
What changed for Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro
Google explains that the new rules are designed to manage heavy traffic across the platforms. Free accounts now receive only base access, and daily allowances may shift based on server load. The company notes that daily quotas may reset, but the exact numbers are not guaranteed and can change without notice.
Gemini 3 Pro usage limits
Previously, free users could submit up to five prompts per day in Gemini 3 Pro. The new policy replaces fixed quotas with base access whose limits depend on demand. In practice, users should expect uncertainty rather than a fixed tally.
Nano Banana Pro image generation
For Nano Banana Pro, the free tier now allows up to two images per day, down from three. The documentation highlights that image creation and editing remain in high demand, and daily resets may be variable. This change signals a tightening of the free quota rather than a stable allotment.
NotebookLM changes
NotebookLM, Google’s note-taking and document assistant, also saw adjustments. Free users no longer have access to Infographics and Slides features that rely on Nano Banana Pro technology. Pro subscribers face additional, undisclosed restrictions, with the exact limits not being publicly disclosed.
What this means for users
Google states the adjustments aim to keep services stable for paying customers while accommodating growing demand. Casual users will still have access, but with less predictability and fewer free tasks each day. For educators and developers, these shifts underline the evolving landscape of AI tools, pricing, and policy.
Expert comment: The throttling signals growing pressure on compute resources as AI adoption expands. Analysts expect future policy tweaks as providers balance free and paid access, says Alex Carter, AI industry expert.
Short summary
Key AI services have tightened free usage due to high demand. Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro now offer limited base access and reduced daily outputs for free users. NotebookLM’s non-subscriber features are restricted, while Pro users may face additional, undisclosed limits. These changes reflect a broader shift toward balancing free access with paid plans in AI tools.
Free access to sophisticated AI tools is often temporary and subject to change with demand.