Thanks to its intuitive interface, integration with Google Workspace, and useful features like Live Voice Mode, Gemini has become the go-to AI-powered chatbot for many users. The rollout of Gems—Gemini’s custom chatbots—makes it even more appealing.
What Are Gemini Gems and How to Access Them
If you’ve used custom GPTs via OpenAI’s GPT Store, Gemini’s Gems will feel familiar. These custom chatbots are great for repetitive prompts that require answers that delve into specific concepts.
For now, this feature can only be accessed if you’re subscribed to Gemini Advanced, Business, or Enterprise. If you’re a single user, Gemini Advanced, which rivals ChatGPT Plus, is the best choice. After you’re logged in, select the icon in the left pane that reads Gem manager. On your screen now, you’ll see a number of premade Gems. Select any listed Gem to get started.
Testing Google’s Premade Gemini Gems
Google offers several premade Gems, including Chess champ, Brainstormer, Career guide, Coding partner, Learning coach, and Writing editor. Each AI assistant is created to serve a different need, so you can expect a different experience with each chatbot. Here are the ones I tested:
1. Brainstormer
The Brainstormer Gem is especially great if you’re looking for new ideas or a fresh perspective. Whether you need party ideas, tips to decorate a space or suggestions for an upcoming holiday, this Gem can provide helpful recommendations. I didn’t think this Gem was all that different from the usual Gemini chatbot, but the suggestions were practical, and I appreciated how it seemed to delve deeper into the topic for more details and context.
2. Career guide
I nearly passed up on this Gem, assuming it was meant to brainstorm possible career paths for recent graduates. However, it’s actually very versatile and can even help you prepare for interviews and ask for raises or promotions.
3. Learning coach
Whether you’re in school or are revisiting topics you studied in the past, this Gem can help you achieve your learning objectives. You can explore new topics, ask for summaries or comprehensive explanations of different concepts, or even just use the chatbot in place of Google Search.
4. Writing editor
If you use grammar apps to improve your language skills, this Gem is worth checking out. It can edit your article for a specific style guide, fix grammatical errors, improve sentences or overall flow and style, and more. The best part is that you receive constructive feedback and can use these suggestions to refine your writing skills over time.
You Can Also Create Customized Gems
While these premade Gems are a great starting point, you can also create your own Gems. To do this, navigate to the Gem manager page and select + New Gem. Give your Gem a name and enter any instructions you might have.
These instructions should ideally list the Gem’s main objectives and capabilities and the style of response you’d like. You can also add files you would like your Gem to refer to before sharing responses. You can now submit your prompts to view your Gem’s tailored responses. Save your Gem, so you can revisit it in the future.
Tips to Optimize Your Gemini Gems’ Output
You can get as creative as you want with your Gems. However, if the responses aren’t quite meeting your expectations, consider refining your prompts or asking follow-up questions to generate more detailed answers. In the case of custom Gems, updating the instructions and uploaded documents can help improve the chatbot’s accuracy and relevancy.
I enjoyed experimenting with different Gemini Gems and can see myself using them frequently going forward.
