Google auto-expands search summaries and refreshes Notebook limits every five hours
On 28 August Google changed two faces of consumer AI access: on some searches it automatically expands the AI summary at the top of the results page, and in Gemini Notebook usage limits refresh every five hours instead of resetting once a day, calculated from prompt complexity and source count.
Artificial Intelligence··Morning
Google updated search and Notebook limits on the same day
On 28 August Google changed two faces of consumer AI access: on some searches it automatically expands the AI summary at the top of the results page, and in Gemini Notebook usage limits refresh every five hours instead of resetting once a day. Where readers used to see part of the search summary and a button to expand it, the new layout puts the full summary first, a question box under it and then the list of links. On the Notebook side a limit now depends on prompt complexity, chat length, the number of sources and the features used.[1], [2]
Reaching links takes more scrolling
The practical effect is that reaching the familiar list of links takes more scrolling on a search. Opening the full summary gives the AI answer more space at the top of the page and pushes the traditional blue links and site list lower. Google has not publicly explained which query types receive this layout; The Verge says the change was first reported by Search Engine Roundtable.[1]
Notebook limits track compute load
Google is moving Gemini Notebook to flexible usage limits that track compute. The change reaches consumer accounts on web and mobile on 2 September 2026. Users can defer outputs such as Video Overviews or Slide Decks and have them generated later, with a notification when the work finishes. The product shows remaining usage and suggests an alternative when a chosen task would exceed the limit; none of the existing features are removed. Google published no numeric limit.[2]
