Google has launched a new experimental feature for its AI assistant Gemini that personalizes responses based on users’ search history and other Google services. According to Dave Citron, Senior Director of Product Management for the Gemini app, this capability aims to make Gemini “a personal AI assistant” that understands individual users rather than just answering general questions.
The feature, powered by Google’s experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model, first connects with Search history and will later expand to include data from Google Photos and YouTube. As reported by Emma Roth in The Verge, this move leverages Google’s “biggest competitive advantage” in the increasingly crowded AI chatbot market.
Users can activate the personalization feature by selecting “Personalization (experimental)” from the model drop-down menu in Gemini Apps. When enabled, Gemini analyzes user prompts and determines whether incorporating search history would enhance its response. The system is designed to only access search history when Google’s reasoning models determine it would be helpful for specific queries.
Early applications highlighted by Google include personalized vacation recommendations, content ideas for YouTube channels, and suggestions for new hobbies or jobs based on a user’s previous search activity. For instance, if someone asks about restaurant recommendations, Gemini will reference their food-related searches to provide more relevant suggestions.
Google emphasizes that privacy controls are built into the system. Users must explicitly grant permission before Gemini connects to their search history, and they can disconnect this access at any time. The company has implemented transparency measures, including clear notifications about which data sources were used to generate responses and a visible banner with the option to disconnect search history.
The personalization feature requires users to have Web & App Activity turned on and is currently available to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers on the web, with mobile access rolling out gradually. It supports over 45 languages and is available in most countries worldwide.
In addition to search history integration, Google has announced that all Gemini users will soon be able to reference their past conversations with the AI assistant, a feature previously available only to Advanced subscribers. This capability will roll out in over 45 languages in the coming weeks.
The company is also upgrading its integrations with Calendar, Notes, Tasks, and Photos to use the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, joining YouTube, Search, and Google Maps. Furthermore, all users will be able to create personalized AI assistants called “Gems” for free.