Google Workspace raises prices due to new AI features

9 pointsbinarynate9mo ago4 comments

I use Google Workspace for my business and just received an email from Google saying they're raising the price. The reason they stated:

> The updated subscription pricing reflects the significant added AI value, as well as the many new features we have introduced and are launching to Google Workspace editions.

The reason I'm sharing this is that I want to discourage other companies and product creators from taking this path. I don't want or use the AI features they've added. From my perspective, they've actively made their products worse by adding distracting popups trying to get me to use the AI features I don't want, and now they're charging me for that.

4 comments

unsupp0rted9mo ago

Same here- they've raised their prices on me, while their AI actively makes my experience worse, not better.

Bluestein9mo ago

Totally agree. At the very very very least it should be opt-in.-

Cheap and easy way to claw back your capex ofloading the pain to your subscribed victims ... er ... customers.-

Not nice. Definitely not nice.-

And, like many here say: On top of which, the actual features are an UX regression.-

nomilk9mo ago

Google are pushing their luck - I never have used any "AI features" in my workspace subscriptions, and probably never will (I really just need basic email).

Also worth mentioning Google's arrogance of not citing current price and new price in the email about the price hike. Google should be upfront and forthcoming with this info. The email is literally about a price change, yet they chose not to include the (old, nor new) price! (I had to ask grok).

Not impressed, and this might be enough to push me to explore alternatives.

softbeehive9mo ago

Business starter: from 5,20€ to 8,10€ in 1,5 years. That's a 56% price increase, wtf, I haven't noticed any added value. Moving to proton

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