Google Search grounding is broken

Gemini API
1

I’m experiencing a 429 RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED error when using Google Search Grounding with the Gemini API.

Environment

  • Model: gemini-3.5-flash

  • API: Gemini API generateContent

  • Runtime: Google Apps Script

  • Tool: googleSearch

  • Tier: Free / current project tier

Testing performed

A minimal Gemini request without Search Grounding succeeds:

  • Prompt: Reply with exactly: TEST_OK

  • Result: HTTP 200

  • Response: TEST_OK

The same minimal request with Google Search Grounding enabled fails:

tools: [{ googleSearch: {} }]

Result:

HTTP 429
RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED

"You exceeded your current quota, please check your plan and billing details."

The request contains only a very small prompt, so this is not a TPM-heavy request.

My AI Studio usage/rate-limit dashboard does not show corresponding usage that would explain the failure.

This appears to isolate the problem to Search Grounding rather than the Gemini API itself.

Could you please confirm whether Google Search Grounding is currently unavailable/restricted for gemini-3.5-flash on my tier, or whether this is an issue with the project’s grounding quota?

I can provide the project number, timestamps, full API response, and request details privately if needed.

Thank you.

3

Hello @FreelanceEscalate ,

Note that Grounding with Google Search is not available for Free Tier users for the gemini-3.5-flash model.