Google tightens free access to Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro amid surging demand

Citing overwhelming user demand and system strain, Google has significantly restricted free access to its AI models Gemini 3 Pro and Nano Banana Pro.

Originally, free users could send up to 5 prompts per day with Gemini 3 Pro and generate or edit 3 images daily using Nano Banana Pro. But in recent days, Google has scaled back these allowances:

• Free-tier access to Gemini 3 Pro’s “thinking” features is now dynamic and frequently limited, often dropping below previous levels.
• Nano Banana Pro’s image generation cap has been reduced to 2 images per day, with Google warning the limit may reset or change daily based on demand.

Additionally, Google has temporarily disabled two Nano Banana Pro-powered features on NotebookLM—infographics and slideshow creation—for all free users. Pro subscribers retain access but face new usage caps.

Google confirmed that the surge in traffic since the models’ launch has caused service instability. While free users bear the brunt of restrictions, AI Pro and Ultra subscribers remain unaffected and continue to enjoy full access.