According to The Verge, Google announced on Thursday that Google Finance is getting a major AI upgrade with a new Deep Search feature powered by Gemini AI models. The tool will roll out in the US in the coming weeks and can produce fully cited, comprehensive responses in just a few minutes. Robert Dunnette, Google Search’s director of product management, confirmed users can access early through Google Labs, though there will be usage limits with higher tiers for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers. The platform is also adding prediction market data from Kalshi and Polymarket, accessible directly via search for questions about future market events. Additionally, Google Finance is launching in India this week with English and Hindi support, though without the latest Deep Search feature.
The AI Everywhere Playbook
Here’s the thing about Google‘s strategy: it’s becoming incredibly predictable. They’re taking the Gemini AI hammer and treating every product like a nail. Finance? Add AI. Search? Add AI. Email? You get the idea. But honestly, this particular application actually makes sense. Financial research is exactly the kind of complex, data-heavy task where AI could genuinely help rather than just being a gimmick.
The timing is interesting too. We’re seeing this rollout happen just as financial AI tools are becoming increasingly competitive. Google wants to own the entire research workflow, from basic stock lookups to complex predictive analysis. And they’re using the familiar “wisdom of the crowds” angle with prediction markets to make it more accessible.
Follow the Money
Now let’s talk about the business model. Notice how they mentioned usage limits and higher tiers for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers? That’s where this is heading. Google’s testing the waters to see what features traders will actually pay for. Basic financial data might remain free, but the advanced AI analysis? That’s probably going behind a paywall eventually.
Basically, they’re creating a funnel. Get people hooked on the free AI tools, then upsell them to the premium versions when they hit those usage limits. It’s the classic freemium model, but applied to financial research. And given how much professional traders spend on data and tools already, this could be a significant revenue stream if executed well.
The Global Expansion Reality
The India launch is telling too. They’re expanding the platform internationally but holding back the most advanced features. That creates a tiered experience from day one. Indian users get the AI-fied Finance platform, but not the cutting-edge Deep Search. It’s a soft launch approach – test the waters with basic functionality before committing the full AI arsenal.
So where does this leave traditional financial research platforms? Honestly, they should be worried. Google has scale, data, and now serious AI capabilities. The question isn’t whether AI will change financial research – it’s whether anyone can compete with Google’s resources once they fully commit to this space.
