With so many AI companies launching chatbots, Google is using its biggest competitive advantage to make Gemini stand out: search. After initiating personalization, Gemini can now automatically analyze a user's query to determine if a reference search record can "enhance" their response.

This feature is provided by the Gemini 0.0 Flash Thinking experimental model, which will only refer to your search results if its AI model deems it "helpful". For example, if you ask Gemini for recommendations about restaurants or travel, the chatbot will refer to your recent food-related searches to provide suggestions.

Connecting the search history with Gemini is optional. This is part of a broader personalization feature that Google is rolling out, which will eventually connect Gemini with other apps like YouTube and Google Photos, enabling chatbots to "provide more personalized insights from a broader understanding of your activities and preferences."

Google states that users can disconnect their search history from Gemini at any time. When you receive a response, you'll see a summary of how Gemini got the answer, and whether it references stored information, past conversations, or search history. It will also display a "Clear Banner" with a link to disconnect your search history.

Gemini may use your search history when providing travel recommendations. Users of the web Gemini and premium versions can activate the feature by selecting "Personalization (Experimental)" from the model drop-down menu. The feature is gradually rolling out on mobile platforms and is available in more than 40 languages in "most" countries.

Google has also released a number of other updates, including giving all Gemini users the ability to create their own personal AI assistant, known as Gems, for free. The company also announced that it will introduce the Gemini 0.0 Flash Thinking experimental model to its deep research capabilities, which it says will improve the chatbot's capabilities at "all stages of research." Gemini's integration with Calendar, Memos, Tasks, and Photos has also been upgraded to the Gemini 0.0 Flash Thinking Experimental model, adding YouTube, Search, and Google Maps.