Sora and Nano Banana Pro Hit by Overwhelming Demand
▼ Summary
– Google and OpenAI have reduced generation request limits for their AI tools Nano Banana Pro and Sora due to high demand.
– OpenAI’s Sora now allows free users only six video generations per day, with no indication this is a temporary measure.
– OpenAI is encouraging users to purchase additional generations, reflecting a move toward monetizing the platform.
– Google has restricted free users of Nano Banana Pro to two image generations daily, down from three, with possible frequent changes.
– Google is also limiting free users’ access to Gemini 3 Pro, following standard practices after popular releases.
The recent holiday weekend saw a surge in demand for popular AI tools, leading both Google and OpenAI to implement new restrictions on their free services. Users hoping to experiment with AI-generated content found themselves facing stricter daily limits, a direct response to the platforms struggling under the weight of unprecedented user traffic.
OpenAI’s video generation model, Sora, has been particularly affected. Bill Peebles, who leads the Sora project, announced that free users would now be limited to just six video generations per day. He candidly remarked that the company’s graphics processing units were “melting” under the strain. Unlike previous adjustments, Peebles did not characterize these new restrictions as a temporary measure. Instead, he pointed users toward a new monetization path, stating that individuals could purchase additional generations as needed. It is important to note that subscribers to ChatGPT Plus and Pro tiers have not seen their generation limits altered, although the specific numbers for these paid plans were not disclosed.
On a parallel track, Google has also tightened access to its recently launched image generator, Nano Banana Pro. Free users, who previously could create three images per day, are now restricted to only two. The technology news outlet 9to5Google was the first to spot this change. Google’s policy includes a warning that these limits are subject to frequent change and may be enacted “without notice,” a common practice for companies managing the initial explosive growth of a new product. Furthermore, there are indications that Google is also beginning to limit free users’ access to its more advanced large language model, Gemini 3 Pro, signaling a broader strategy to manage computational resources and steer users toward premium offerings.
(Source: The Verge)
