Google Just Launched Lyria 3 For AI Music Creation. What Happens To Suno Now?

Until recently, making a song required at least one of three things: musical skill, expensive software, or patience. Then came Suno, a startup that collapsed all three into a text box. Type a prompt, and seconds later, you had a fully produced track with lyrics, vocals and instrumentation. Now Google has arrived with a different idea. Instead of building a separate destination, it has embedded AI music generation directly inside Gemini, its flagship AI assistant already used by hundreds of millions globally.

With the rollout of Lyria 3, Gemini users can generate original songs from prompts, photos or videos in seconds. 

Suno's simplicity helped it turn AI music generation into about $200 million in annual recurring revenue, attracted over a million paying subscribers, and raised $250 million in funding at a $2.45 billion valuation in late 2025. Investors backed a compelling thesis: AI music would become its own category, and Suno had an early lead.

With Lyria's entry, it raises a difficult question for Suno: what happens when the biggest technology platform decides your category belongs to them too?

Creation As A Feature

Google's Lyria 3 allows users to generate 30-second tracks complete with lyrics, melodies and vocals simply by describing an idea. Instead of limiting users to basic sound generation, it allows them to upload a photo or video, after which Gemini creates a detailed, high‑quality soundtrack tailored to the visuals — even adding custom lyrics if needed. Google says its aim is to make making music as effortless as generating images, whether someone wants a quick jingle or a mellow lo‑fi track.

The feature is already rolling out on the web version of Gemini, with support for the mobile app set to reach users worldwide over the next few days. Google also notes that Lyria 3 will be available at no cost, at least for now, as part of its initial rollout.

Lyria 3 is developed by DeepMind, the research division responsible for many of Google's most cutting‑edge AI breakthroughs. The group has previously worked on everything from advanced 3D creative tools to SynthID, Google's invisible watermarking system designed to identify AI‑generated content across images, audio, and video.

The difference reflects a familiar pattern in technology. Startups often introduce entirely new categories, proving demand and refining the experience. Larger platforms follow by integrating comparable features into their existing ecosystems, exposing them to vastly larger audiences.

No Startup Could Match  

Google's distribution advantage extends beyond Gemini. Lyria integrates with YouTube's Dream Track feature, allowing creators to generate custom soundtracks for YouTube Shorts. This creates a direct pipeline between creation and distribution, connecting AI music generation with one of the world's largest content platforms.

The 30‑second cap is less restrictive than it sounds. Suno's own usage patterns show that most AI‑generated music ends up in short‑form content — reels, social posts, quick edits, and personal projects. In that context, a 30‑second Gemini‑generated track fits the exact formats people already use.

For millions of creators making short-form videos, background music is a necessity rather than a creative pursuit. AI-generated tracks offer a fast, royalty-free solution tailored to specific content. When that functionality exists inside the same ecosystem as the publishing platform, it reduces friction even further.

Suno, by contrast, has focused on building its own ecosystem. Its long-term vision includes combining music creation, listening and social interaction within a single platform. That strategy depends on attracting and retaining users in a standalone environment, rather than relying on an existing global distribution network.

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The Legal Backdrop 

Copyright has become one of the defining battlegrounds in generative AI. Suno has faced lawsuits from major record labels, including Sony Music and Universal Music, over allegations related to training data and intellectual property. Warner Music Group reached a licensing agreement with Suno in 2025, signalling a potential path toward industry collaboration, though legal tensions persist elsewhere.

Google enters the space with an advantage rooted in its existing relationships. YouTube's longstanding licensing agreements with music labels provide a framework that supports AI-generated content while addressing ownership concerns. The company has also implemented watermarking technology to identify AI-generated audio, reflecting growing emphasis on transparency and attribution.

Suno's Real Strength

Despite Google's scale and reach, Suno retains strengths that extend beyond basic music generation. The company has invested in advanced editing tools, including stem separation and greater creative control over individual elements of a track. Its acquisition of music software company WavTool expanded its capabilities, appealing to musicians and producers seeking more precise control over their output.

Generating a song represents only the beginning of the creative process. Refining, editing and shaping the final sound requires deeper functionality than prompt-based generation alone. Suno has also cultivated a community of users actively experimenting with AI as a creative medium. Many spend extended sessions refining tracks, exploring styles and sharing their work.

For Suno, the challenge lies in defining its role within this larger ecosystem. Its early lead established AI music as a viable category. Google's entry ensures that the category will grow faster and reach more users than any startup could achieve alone.

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