How should I share free AI access fairly

Google Gemini provides 1,500 calls each day for free. I created a web app that allows users to generate AI documents (I can’t explain more due to forum rules). Since my service is entirely free, I need to manage the calls so I stay under the 1,500 per day limit.

What would be a fair way to share these calls? I have many users (more than 1,000) so I probably need to set some limits. I’d love to hear your ideas

With 1,000 users and 1,500 calls a day, it seems tough to find a fair way to share. You could give two calls a day to each user and let the rest know they might not get any.

If you have ~1,000 users, then it sounds like a limit of one call per user each day

Paris said:
If you have ~1,000 users, then it sounds like a limit of one call per user each day

If a user needs more, they could pay or sit through a short commercial

What if users got their own API keys and used those for their requests?

Consider paying for Gemini. It’s still affordable and lets you offer more than just one call.

You could use multiple API keys for Gemini and switch between them when you hit the limit. It might break the rules, but if you want to avoid paying, that’s one option

I’m unable to say what kind or the automod might delete my post

So we shouldn’t be trying to help you then?

Winter said:

I’m unable to say what kind or the automod might delete my post

So we shouldn’t be trying to help you then?

No, the automod just flags certain words that relate to jobs most people have until they retire. Nothing illegal about it.

If you’re offering a service, pay for what you use.

Using the free tier for personal stuff is one thing, but offering it to others and using their resources is different. It’s similar to what the AI companies did to train their models.

@Finch
“Commercializing” means charging for goods or services. That’s not what’s happening here. I’m offering a free service to those who can’t afford the common subscription models. I’m paying all the fixed costs to keep the site running. I was helped before, and I’m trying to give back.

@Kim
But with 1,500 calls a day and 1,000 users, that’s about one call each, maybe two for some. It seems off. Someone mentioned using multiple API keys but I doubt that’s allowed by Google’s rules.

@Kim
You’re still commercializing since you have a personal project now being made public.

If the API is free, then your users should be accessing it directly or you should be giving them a way to use it themselves.

Instead, you opened it up for others and used a free service against the rules.

You should either pay or stop using their resources.

@Kim
That’s nice of you, but there is a reason those subscription models work, and what you’re doing essentially means you’re paying those costs yourself.

I think first come, first served is a good approach with a cap of maybe 5-10 requests per user based on their usage habits.

I believe this might go against Gemini’s service terms, but I could be mistaken

You have a few options that could work.

A) Look into Openrouter
B) Limit users to two calls each day, with more if they pay
C) Buy some credits; you can get a good amount for $5

I appreciate the input!

I find the common suggestion of one call per user daily concerning. Not every user logs in every day, and many don’t use the AI (there are many other features). Those who use the AI often do so in bursts, so a strict daily limit would make it hard for them. Since the AI is a new feature, I lack data on usage trends. Right now, I’m setting a limit of 30 calls per day per user, while still ensuring I stay within the free tier. So far, I’ve managed to avoid hitting the daily limit, but some users occasionally reach their cap. It seems this initial strategy has issues too.

@Kim
How many users log in daily on average? And how many actually use the AI feature?

@Kim
Capping users isn’t a bad thing. It’s just a result of the limits you’ve set. Many would typically set a lower limit for the free tier and create a paid option for frequent users. If you prefer not to do that, then some users will occasionally need to be capped. That’s just how it is.

Are you not interested in growing the site? If that’s the case, your setup can work, but it won’t grow beyond what it currently is.