Google Services Not Free

The cluster debates the misconception that Google's services like Gmail, Search, and Drive are free, emphasizing that users pay through data sharing, privacy loss, and ad exposure which Google monetizes.

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#8365
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Keywords

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Sample Comments

HDThoreaun May 24, 2023 View on HN

Why would google do that for free when they can get paid?

panpanna Oct 2, 2020 View on HN

What does google get for providing this service for free?

Zigurd Mar 21, 2014 View on HN

I already pay Google for things they can't sufficiently monetize with ads. Why not offer service and charge for it?

msh Sep 16, 2022 View on HN

Googles services are not free. You pay by letting them show you ads and use your data.

giwook Dec 4, 2025 View on HN

You make it sound like Google is giving out free usage out of the goodness of their hearts.

mam3 Aug 12, 2021 View on HN

When is the last time you paid for a google service tho ? Its the height of millenial arrogance to think a compagny should give you a special treatment for free

akie Aug 22, 2022 View on HN

I'm not sure why you're being downvoted, because that's exactly what they're doing.Do people really think Google just gives away things for free because they're being nice?

beardyw Jan 30, 2023 View on HN

Google provides a lot of stuff for free. Gmail, search, photos, drive etc. Without advertising what would pay for those? Not sure this will make things better.

draluy Nov 19, 2024 View on HN

Your implication that google services are free is untrue. You are paying with your privacy and data. And the price is such that, if I ever made a better mail service than gmail that openly asked to sell and privately use all your data, nobody would subscribe. You are paying by seeing ads. You are paying by being coerced into a certain ecosystem. You are paying by having one company chose what standards are the de facto web standards of tomorrow. And their main business is selling your data. You

jdietrich Jul 4, 2011 View on HN

You are not Google's customer. You are their product. Google make their money by selling your data and your attention to advertisers. Charging you money and treating you like a customer creates a conflict of interest that they really don't want to deal with. Google's strategy of "scalable customer service" is no accident.