Google Vids Free AI Video Guide: Omni 1.2 Clips, Avatars and Export

Google Vids now lets anyone with a Google account make AI video clips for free. Since November 5, 2026, it runs on the new Omni 1.2 Flash model, with clips up to 15 seconds.

Here is what is free, what the limits are on each plan, and a step-by-step guide to clips, avatars, voiceover and export.

What Changed on November 5, 2026

Google announced that Vids now runs on Omni 1.2 Flash, its newest video model. The blog post says you can make “up to three 15-second videos per month in Vids at no cost.”

• Longer clips: length is set from 3 to 15 seconds, in one-second steps.
• One-pass promos: Google says a product promo can now be made in one go, without cuts.
• Reference images: upload images so characters and scenes stay the same from first frame to last.
• Better narration: Google says speech in clips now sounds more natural.
• Watermark: every clip carries an invisible SynthID watermark.

This builds on the September 23, 2026 update, when Vids moved to Omni 1.1 and opened AI video to every Google and Workspace account.

Which Model Vids Uses: Omni, Not Veo

Many older guides say Vids uses Veo. That was true in spring 2026, but the video model has changed twice since.

Omni 1.2 Flash generates at 360p or 720p, and you can upscale selected clips to 1080p or 4K. In the Gemini app, 15-second Omni videos are rolling out to Google AI Ultra subscribers first.

Note: Google’s demos are its own. Google itself says fast sports action, quick scene changes and complex physics still need work.

What Is Free and the Limits by Plan

Google’s Vids help page lists monthly AI limits for every plan. AI video clips are counted in seconds, not clips.

How free credits work

• Monthly credits: personal, AI Plus and Workspace Individual accounts get 50 credits a month.
• Costs: each AI voiceover costs 1 credit, and each “Help me create” draft costs 5.
• Reset: credits reset on the first of each month. They do not roll over and cannot be shared.
• Not included: music generation is not listed for free accounts.

To compare the paid tiers in more detail, see our Google AI Pro vs Ultra guide.

Personal vs Workspace Accounts

Both account types can make free Omni clips. The differences are in avatars, editing and admin control.

• Personal accounts: get preset avatars only, and “might have some restrictions on AI video editing”, per Google’s help page.
• Workspace Business and Enterprise: get larger generation pools and central admin controls.
• Admins: can turn off generative AI features in Vids for work and school accounts.
• No AI at all: Essentials Starter, Education Fundamentals and Standard, and Frontline plans get no Gemini features in Vids.
• Language: many AI features are English only for now. Avatars support about 29 languages and voiceovers about 22.

Warning: Editing your own non-AI videos with Omni is not offered in some places, including Texas and Illinois. Personal likeness avatars are not offered in the EEA, Switzerland or the UK.

How to Make a Free AI Video in Google Vids

Vids runs in a desktop browser. Use Chrome, Firefox or Edge on Windows, since editing does not work in Safari.

1. Open Vids. Go to vids.new and sign in with your Google account.
2. Pick a shape. Choose Landscape, Portrait or Square. Pick Portrait for Shorts, Reels or TikTok.
3. Choose “Create AI videos”. This option only shows if your account has AI access.
4. Write your prompt. Describe the subject, the action, the setting and the camera move in one or two sentences.
5. Add references (optional). Upload a product photo or character image to keep it consistent.
6. Set the length. Pick an exact duration from 3 to 15 seconds.
7. Generate. Wait for the clip, then preview it in the scene.
8. Refine with text. Type a follow-up, such as “change the weather to rain”, to edit the clip.

Tip: Each free clip counts against your monthly pool. Write and polish the prompt in a notes app first, then generate once.

You can also start from “Templates”, “Convert Slides” or “Upload” and drop AI clips into scenes later. Our Gemini in Google Slides guide helps you build the deck first.

How to Add an AI Avatar

An AI avatar is a virtual presenter that reads your script on screen. Free accounts get 6 preset avatars a month.

1. Open the avatar tool. In Vids, click “AI avatar”.
2. Pick a scene. Open the scene where the presenter should appear.
3. Add the script. Click “Add your script” and type what the avatar should say.
4. Choose the avatar. Click “Edit” below the script, hover to preview voices, then click “Select”.
5. Preview and generate. Click “Preview”, then “Generate”. Keep the Vids tab open, as it can take a few minutes.

• Length: each avatar video can be up to 60 seconds.
• Steering tags: type cues like [excitedly] in the script to change emotion and pacing.
• Paid extras: custom avatars, branded logos on avatars, and personal likeness avatars need a paid or Workspace plan.

How to Add an AI Voiceover

AI voiceover turns a typed script into narration over your scenes. On a free account each voiceover costs 1 credit.

1. Open a scene. Select the scene that needs narration.
2. Add a script. Type the words, or let “Help me create” draft one.
3. Pick a voice. Choose an AI voice from the voiceover options and preview it.
4. Add cues. Use bracket tags like [excitedly] to steer pacing, emotion and sound effects.
5. Generate. Create the voiceover and play the scene to check timing.

You can also record your own voice, upload audio files such as MP3, M4A or WAV, or add stock music and sound effects.

How to Export Your Video

Vids has three ways out. Projects can run up to 30 minutes.

1. Review the whole video. Play it end to end and fix timing.
2. Pick your export. Use the table above to download, save to Drive or send to YouTube.
3. Wait for processing. Then click “Open now” to see the file in Drive or YouTube Studio.
4. Change privacy on YouTube. Switch the video from Private to Public in YouTube Studio when ready.

To post on a channel that is not your default, download the MP4 and upload it by hand.

Prompt Tips for Better Free Clips

• Subject first: “A red coffee mug on a wooden desk” beats “a nice product shot”.
• One action: 15 seconds suits one clear motion, such as steam rising or a slow turn.
• Camera move: add “slow push-in” or “top-down shot” for a pro look.
• Light and mood: say “soft morning light” or “neon night street”.
• Avoid fast sports: Google says fast action and complex physics are weak spots.

My Take

Three free 15-second clips a month is small, but it is enough for a product teaser or a social post. The big win is that avatars, voiceover, editing and export all sit in one free browser tool.

If you need more than a few clips, the jump to Google AI Pro (500 seconds) is large. Small teams on Business Standard get the same 500 seconds without a separate plan.

Troubleshooting: Common Problems and Fixes

• No “Create AI videos” option: your account lacks AI access, or an admin turned it off. Try a personal account, or ask your admin.
• Cannot edit in Safari: Vids editing does not work in Safari. Switch to Chrome, Firefox or Edge.
• Limit reached early: clips are counted in seconds. Long or repeated generations use the pool fast, and it resets on the first of the month.
• Only preset avatars show: personal accounts only get preset avatars. Custom avatars need a paid or Workspace plan.
• Avatar stuck generating: keep the Vids window open. Avatar clips can take a few minutes.
• Feature missing in your language: many AI tools are English only. Switch your account language to English to test.
• YouTube video not visible: exports are Private by default. Change the visibility in YouTube Studio.
• Clip looks soft: Omni 1.2 generates at 360p or 720p. Use the upscale option for 1080p.

Using Gemini elsewhere in Workspace? See our guide to creating Docs, Sheets and Slides with Gemini.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Vids really free?

Yes. Anyone with a Google account can use Vids, and free accounts get up to three 15-second AI videos a month, 6 preset avatars and 50 credits.

Does Google Vids use Veo or Omni?

Omni. Vids moved from Veo 3.1 to Omni 1.1 in September 2026 and to Omni 1.2 Flash on November 5, 2026.

How long can a free AI video clip be?

Each Omni 1.2 Flash clip can be 3 to 15 seconds. A full Vids project, with many scenes, can run up to 30 minutes.

Can I use Vids with a personal Gmail account?

Yes. Personal accounts get the free tier, with preset avatars only and some limits on AI video editing.

Can I download my Vids video as MP4?

Yes. Use the File menu to save an MP4 or GIF, or export an MP4 to Drive or YouTube.

Do Vids AI videos have a watermark?

Every Omni clip carries an invisible SynthID watermark. It does not show on screen, but tools can detect it.

How do I get more AI video in Vids?

Upgrade to Google AI Pro for 500 seconds a month, or AI Ultra for 2,500 to 10,000 seconds. Workspace Business Standard and Plus also include 500 seconds.

Sources

• Google: Omni 1.2 Flash in Google Vids at no cost (Nov 5, 2026)
• Google: Free HD videos with Gemini in Google Vids (Sep 23, 2026)
• Google: Vids updates with Lyria and Veo (Apr 2, 2026)
• Google Help: Availability of Gemini features in Google Vids
• Google Help: Get started with Google Vids
• Google Help: Use AI avatars in Google Vids
• Google Workspace Updates: Google Vids
• Superpower Daily: Omni 1.2 Flash details
• Decrypt: Google free AI video generation