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Google’s Gemini AI is accessible from its own web page as well as through the respective mobile apps. But another way to tap into Gemini is directly within Google Chrome. With the Gemini in Chrome option, Google’s AI will provide information on the current web page, let you speak with Gemini Live, and perform other AI-based tasks. You can trigger Gemini through a keyboard shortcut and tweak the settings to manage the AI.
As always, though, there are a few conditions.
Also: How to turn off Gemini in your Gmail, Docs, Photos, and more – it’s easy to opt out
Gemini in Chrome requires one of Google’s two AI subscriptions—the $20-per-month Google AI Pro plan or the $250-per-month Google Al Ultra plan. Sorry, that means free Gemini users are out of the loop. The feature works only in the desktop version of Chrome, either in Windows or MacOS. Plus, it’s supported just in the US with English set as the Chrome language in the operating system.
But if you qualify, Gemini in Chrome is a quick and convenient way to ask the AI for help directly from the browser. Now, let’s see how this works.
Open Chrome and sign in with the account you use for your AI Pro or AI Ultra plan if you’re not already signed in. To do this, click the profile icon in the upper right and log in with your Google account.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
Next, make sure you’re running the latest version of Chrome. Open the browser and click the three-dot icon at the upper right. Move to Help and select About Google Chrome. The latest version will automatically download and install. Restart Chrome to finish applying the update.
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In Chrome, click the three-dot icon and select Settings. In the Settings screen, you should see an entry called AI innovations with an option for Gemini in Chrome. Click the option to see a menu of opt-in settings.
As usual, choosing which settings to enable is a personal choice based on how extensively you wish to use Gemini versus how much of your privacy you want to protect from Google. At the very least, you may want to enable the settings for showing Gemini in the system tray and turning on the keyboard shortcut, using your microphone, and sharing page content.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
You should see a star icon at the right end of the title bar in Chrome. Hover over that, and it will display a tooltip called Show Gemini in Chrome. The first time you click that icon, a window pops up to explain how Gemini uses certain content you share. If you’re okay with this, click the button for Yes, I’m in.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
Gemini then displays a menu with a few options that vary based on your current page. For example, you may be able to learn about the current web page, explore a topic, or just learn what Gemini can do. Click the option for Learn what Gemini can do if it appears. Chrome then displays a list of tasks for which Gemini can assist you.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
To try out Gemini, browse to a web page for which you’d like to get information, analysis, or help. Click the Gemini icon again if the menu has closed. At the prompt in the menu, type your request. Maybe you want Gemini to summarize the page or perhaps you want to ask specific questions. Submit your request, and the AI will respond as usual.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
Perhaps you’d rather chat with Gemini about the current web page or another topic. At the Gemini menu, click the Go Live button. You’ll be prompted to enable your microphone if it’s not already activated for Chrome. Speak your question and you can then carry on a back-and-forth conversation with the AI.
In this case, I asked Gemini how to clear cookies in Chrome, and it provided me with the exact steps. I then asked a follow-up question of how to clear cookies only for specific websites in Chrome. Again, it responded with the right steps.
To see a transcript of your conversation, click the keyboard icon in the Gemini menu.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
As with the Gemini web page and mobile apps, you can choose the model you wish to use. Currently, the AI offers a choice between 2.5 Flash for fast, all-around help and 2.5 Pro for reasoning, math, and coding. Click the drop-down menu for Gemini at the top of the menu and select the model you want to use.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
You can easily view and manage your chats. Click the three-dot icon at the top of the Gemini menu. From here, you can start a new chat, continue your current chat in a new tab, and access a history of your chats. Gemini syncs all your conversations whether they take place in Chrome, at the Gemini web page, or in the mobile apps, so you can always see your entire history.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
Finally, you’re able to return to the settings for Gemini in Chrome. From the Gemini menu, click the three-dot icon and select the option for Open Chrome Settings. You can then review any settings and even ask Gemini for help or advice on how to set them.
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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET
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