Exploring the Highs and Lows of Gemini in Gmail

This guide covers how to access Gemini features in Gmail, what’s live today, and the biggest strengths and limitations seen so far.

Who Will Benefit

• Gmail users managing high email volume
• Anyone interested in querying their inbox
• Google Workspace or Google AI Pro subscribers

Requirements

• A Google Workspace account (work email), or
• A personal Google account with a Google AI Pro subscription ($20)

Step 1: Enable Smart Features

Go to gmail.com, open Settings in the top-right corner, and confirm that all “smart features” are turned on.

Step 2: Interact with Your Inbox

Return to your inbox and click the “Ask Gemini” button beside the settings icon. You can ask questions such as:

• “Which hotel did I stay at in [city] last summer?”
• “What emails mention [topic]?”

You can also use “@” to reference specific Google Drive files, though access is read-only.

Step 3: Search Using Natural Language

Google demonstrated a feature where typing a question into the search bar surfaces relevant emails along with an AI-generated summary. While this is reportedly available for Google AI Pro users, it does not appear to be widely active yet.

If you’re considering upgrading, it may be worth waiting until Gemini integration is fully rolled out.

Step 4: Use “Help Me Write”

While composing an email, press Option + H (Mac) or Alt + H (Windows), or click “Help me write.” Enter a prompt, and Gemini will generate a response based on the email thread.

After generating a reply, you can:

• Select “Recreate” for a new version
• Choose “Refine” to adjust tone or length

This feature performs quickly and delivers accurate results.

Next Steps

You may also notice the “help me schedule” option in the draft window. Gemini reviews the conversation, checks your calendar, and suggests suitable meeting times.