Gemini Pro is a terrible value

Google AI Studio
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I don’t know if Google is already trying to kill a new product but it sure feels like it.

Gemini Pro no longer sharing its thoughts?

  • Only able to easily copy and paste markdown text despite asking it to give only raw text replies!! I have to use another LLM just to make replies easily human readable.
  • Context window feels like it gets smaller and smaller everyday!
  • No easy access to more than 3 models in the Gemini app. I used to be able to access 6!!
  • No reason to even pay for Pro when the two main models you have access to are free for all anyways. I don’t even come close to hitting rate limits because Gemini has become a neutered version of what it once was mere months ago.

It feels like Gemini has been lobotomized to serve whatever unremarkable purpose that satisfies the monetarily focused divisions at Google. I truly hoped Google was on the rebound, providing a fair value for a fair price to its users. Time and time again, Google has shown that the finance employees are completely in charge of the direction the company takes.

I can only imagine them as soulless workers who just don’t care or understand the importance of pushing model capabilities. For some odd reason these folks just don’t know about the classic American value proposition. I will use this space to educate you, you need not forget that your business and all of its products exist only to provide potential customers with a good value for their money. That’s business 101 and that’s what helps you grow your company. How many more costs can you cut? None when it comes to Gemini pro because this product is hobbled now!!

I told so many people about Gemini when 2.0 rolled out and the months following. I pestered the holdouts to just give it a shot. I am here once again with my tail between my legs because I stupidly thought Google was turning a new leaf and trying to do right by their customers.

User experience and capability seems unimportant to the decision makers at Google.. so, I’m canceling my pro subscription and taking my priceless training data elsewhere.

Bye, I’m not even upset just sad. I remember being a kid and showing my parents that thet should consider investing in Google’s IPO. I was just 9-10 at the time..

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Hey @Zack_Fitch — really appreciate you laying this out so clearly. You’re definitely not the only one feeling this shift in Gemini Pro’s value.

A few thoughts on your points:

  • Markdown vs raw text: Totally agree — it’s frustrating when formatting overrides user instructions. There should be a toggle or setting to control output style more reliably.
  • Shrinking context window: That’s a big one. If true, it’s a serious regression. Gemini Pro was known for its long context capabilities, and losing that edge undermines its core appeal.
  • Model access: The drop from 6 to 3 models is puzzling. It’d be great if Google clarified whether this is a temporary limitation or a permanent change.
  • Pro value: If the paid tier doesn’t offer meaningful advantages — like better models, faster responses, or higher limits — it’s fair to question the subscription. Your point about not even hitting rate limits reinforces that.

Your feedback is solid and constructive. Hopefully someone from the Gemini team sees this and responds. Transparency and communication would go a long way here.

Thanks!

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