Google just made a big change to its free
AI tools. Due to overwhelming demand, the company
has reduced free user access to
Gemini 3 Pro and its image tool,
Nano Banana Pro.
When
Gemini 3 Pro first launched, free users had fixed daily limits. Now, Google says access is "Basic" and daily caps "may change frequently." This likely means fewer uses for non-paying customers. This fast adjustment shows just how popular these new models are, putting huge stress on Google's systems.
Image Limits Slashed by a Third
The clearest change hit the image generation tool,
Nano Banana Pro. This tool is powered by the top-tier Gemini 3 Pro model. Free users could previously make or edit up to three images each day.
That limit is now
two images per day. Google stated that this step was necessary because image generation is "in high demand." This is a tough move for free users. It pushes people toward the paid
Google AI Pro and
Ultra plans. If you hit the limit, you get shifted to the older, simpler
Nano Banana model.
My quick thought is that this is the cost of innovation. Google released a highly advanced tool, and the user response instantly exceeded server capacity. It’s a nice problem to have, but frustrating for the average user trying to access the best new
AI.
NotebookLM Features Hit Capacity Issues
Another
Google AI tool, NotebookLM, is also seeing limits. This service helps users research and create content. It temporarily lost some new features for free users. They can no longer create
Infographics and
Slide Decks that rely on
Nano Banana Pro.
Even paid Pro users of NotebookLM are seeing extra, temporary limits on these specific features. Google explained that they are facing capacity problems. They promise to fix things and restore normal access soon. This shows how much power these new features consume. Even the highest-paying users are feeling the strain of popular new
AI tools.
Google’s Pro and Ultra users saw no change to their limits. This whole adjustment mainly targets the free tier. Google wants to keep the system running smoothly for everyone, especially its paying customers. The new, shifting daily limit makes it hard for non-paying users to rely on the service. It clearly sends a message to subscribe for fixed access.
The message is clear: the fastest, newest
AI models require massive computing power. To get reliable access to the best tools like Gemini 3 Pro and
Nano Banana Pro, users will need to pay for a subscription.
Key Takeaways
- Free Access Reduced: Google cut back free user access to its top AI tools, Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro, due to high user demand.
- Image Limit Cut: The daily limit for Nano Banana Pro image generation for free users was reduced from three images to two images per day.
- Variable Limits: Free users now have "Basic access" to Gemini 3 Pro, where limits "may change frequently" instead of a fixed cap (previously five prompts).
- NotebookLM Features: New features like Infographics and Slide Decks in NotebookLM were temporarily removed for free users due to capacity issues.
- Paid Users Unaffected: The new restrictions only apply to free-tier users; paid Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers keep their original usage limits.