Google has been quietly gaining AI customers, even before big releases next week

At Anthropic's recent developer conference, Guillermo Rauch, the CEO of AI startup Vercel, revealed a noteworthy trend: Google is rapidly becoming a preferred choice among AI customers. While discussions often revolve around competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI, Rauch emphasized that the demand for Google's AI models, particularly Gemini, has been substantial. Rauch recounted a recent conversation where he had to reach out to a senior Google executive for more Gemini tokens, which are essential for using their AI services. Vercel's AI Gateway, which facilitates connections between various AI models and applications, has shown a clear preference among many of its users for Google's offerings. This platform serves a wide range of clients, from AI startups to enterprise teams utilizing features such as chatbots and coding assistants. Data from Vercel's AI Gateway indicates a significant shift in usage patterns. In March, Anthropic's models dominated traffic, but by early April, Google's Gemini 3 Flash model had surged ahead, a trend that is expected to continue as Google prepares for its upcoming I/O conference. At this event, the tech giant is anticipated to unveil new AI models and tools that could further enhance its standing in the market. Rauch noted that while Gemini Flash may not be as powerful as the full Gemini 3 model, its speed and cost-effectiveness make it particularly appealing to corporate clients. He pointed out that enterprise teams frequently opt for Gemini Flash and other smaller, efficient models due to their reliability and affordability. However, the landscape of AI is complex, and success can be measured in various ways. While Google's token usage soared in April, Anthropic still led in terms of revenue share, capturing 61% of the spending. This demonstrates that different models excel in different areas, with some prioritizing high-volume traffic and others focusing on high-stakes, quality-critical applications. OpenAI also saw a significant uptick in its spending share, jumping from 4% to 12% following the release of its GPT-5.4 and 5.5 series. In contrast, Google increased its dollar share from 8% to 21%, reflecting the growing adoption of Gemini Flash. Rauch cautioned that one month's data is not necessarily indicative of future trends, especially with the excitement building around Google I/O. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, companies are navigating a diverse and dynamic market.