BigQuery News & Updates for September 2025

Google unveils Conversational Analytics API to chat with data anywhere

19 days ago

Google Cloud's Conversational Analytics API, in public preview, lets developers embed natural language queries into apps using trusted data from Looker and BigQuery. It combines AI with Looker's semantic model for accurate, context-aware insights accessible anywhere. Features include text-to-SQL, code interpretation, charting, AI-assisted context, multi-agent support, role-based access, and query controls for seamless, secure data interaction.

BigQuery Data Transfer Service adopts consumption-based pricing for third-party connectors

23 days ago

BigQuery

Starting September 25, 2025, BigQuery Data Transfer Service for third-party SAAS and database connectors will switch to consumption-based pricing, charging based on compute resources used, measured in slot-hours. This applies to connectors like Facebook Ads, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, ServiceNow, and others planned for future release.

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BigQuery Reference Panel Adds Schema Preview and Query Editing Features

26 days ago

BigQuery

The BigQuery console's Reference panel lets users preview schema details of tables, snapshots, views, and materialized views in both query and notebook editors. It allows opening these resources in new tabs and helps construct or edit queries by inserting snippets or field names. The panel dynamically shows context-aware info and supports searching and inserting query elements directly in the editor. This feature is generally available.

BigQuery adds Gemini-powered data aggregation in Preview for easier data prep

1 months ago

BigQuery

You can use Gemini in BigQuery to aggregate table data during data preparation, currently in Preview. Choose Aggregate in data or schema view, enter a prompt like total revenue, and send it. Gemini creates grouping keys and aggregation expressions, which you can edit or add manually. Grouping keys need aliases and no duplicates; aggregation expressions also require aliases and no duplicates. Preview and apply the step.

BigQuery adds WITH expressions for temporary variables in GoogleSQL queries

1 months ago

BigQuery

BigQuery now supports WITH expressions in GoogleSQL to create temporary variables within queries. Variables are assigned once and can be used in subsequent expressions but not as arguments in aggregate or analytic functions. Each variable is evaluated once. This feature differs from WITH clauses and allows for cleaner, modular queries with examples showing concatenation, random value evaluation, and aggregate calculations.

BigQuery Update Enabling advanced runtime with short query optimizations in preview

1 months ago

BigQuery

BigQuery's advanced runtime now includes short query optimizations in preview, which reduce latency and slot use by running some queries as a single stage. These optimizations depend on data scan size, data movement, filter selectivity, data layout, query structure, and past execution stats. Enable or disable this runtime using ALTER PROJECT or ALTER ORGANIZATION statements with query_runtime set to 'advanced' or NULL. Changes take minutes to apply.

BigQuery Introduces New Vector Index Management and Data Loading Features

1 months ago

BigQuery

BigQuery introduces VECTOR_INDEX.STATISTICS to track data drift and ALTER VECTOR INDEX REBUILD for index maintenance, both in Preview. Access Transparency now covers BigQuery data prep in GA. New Preview options for CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE and LOAD DATA include null_markers for NULL strings and source_column_match for column mapping. MATCH_RECOGNIZE clause adds pattern recognition in SQL queries, enhancing analytical capabilities.

BigQuery launches DISTINCT pipe operator for selecting unique rows in queries

1 months ago

BigQuery

BigQuery now supports the DISTINCT pipe operator in pipe syntax queries, which returns distinct rows from an input table while preserving table aliases. It works like SELECT DISTINCT or UNION DISTINCT but can be used anywhere in the query. It computes distinct rows based on all visible columns, ignoring pseudo-columns, and does not expand value table fields. This feature is generally available.

BigQuery sets default on-demand query limit to 200TB per day from September 2025

1 months ago

BigQuery

BigQuery will implement a default on-demand usage limit of 200TB per day starting September 1, 2025. Existing unlimited projects will be set to 200TB or a custom limit based on recent peak usage. This aims to prevent runaway queries and cost overruns. Large users exceeding 200TB daily should update limits or consider other editions. Changes apply to on-demand usage quotas, with audit logs available for monitoring.

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