Google feels Gemini should get to know you even better

In the world of AI chatbot competition, Google believes that the key to keeping users engaged is by offering unique content, such as personalized responses based on their internet activities. The company recently introduced Gemini with personalization, an experimental feature for its Gemini chatbot apps that leverages data from other Google services to provide customized answers. According to Gemini product director Dave Citron, this new capability aims to make Gemini feel more like a natural extension of the user, offering tailored assistance based on their preferences and activities across Google’s product ecosystem.

Gemini with personalization is powered by Google’s experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking AI model, which utilizes personal data from Google services to enhance responses. This feature will initially integrate with Google Search and expand to other services like Google Photos and YouTube in the future. By tapping into a user’s search history and preferences, Gemini can provide more relevant recommendations and information, such as restaurant suggestions or travel advice.

However, privacy concerns arise with this level of personalization, prompting Google to make Gemini with personalization an opt-in feature and exclude users under 18. The company ensures transparency by asking for permission before accessing personal data and displaying the data sources used to customize responses. Users can easily disconnect their search history if they choose to opt out of personalization.

Gemini with personalization will be rolled out to web users first, with mobile support coming later. Google plans to offer this feature in over 40 languages in most countries, excluding certain regions. As Citron hinted, there may be future usage limits or changes to the feature based on user feedback.

In addition to personalization, Google also introduced updated models, research capabilities, and app connectors for Gemini users. Subscribers to Gemini Advanced can now access a standalone version of the 2.0 Flash Thinking model with enhanced features like file attachments, integrations with various apps, and a larger context window. This new version aims to improve efficiency and handle complex prompts involving multiple apps.
Google is stepping up its game in response to competition from OpenAI, with enhancements to its Deep Research feature. Now utilizing the 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, Deep Research aims to provide higher-quality, more detailed and insightful reports for users. This tool is now available for free for all Gemini users, with increased usage limits for Advanced customers.

Gemini users can also enjoy the addition of Gems, Google’s topic-focused customizable chatbots, previously exclusive to Advanced subscribers. Additionally, Google has announced upcoming integration with Google Photos, allowing users to easily search for photos from recent trips.