How to Use Gemini AI: A Practical Start for Small Business Owners
Updated: 3 days ago
Gemini is Google's AI assistant, and all you need to start is a Google account: the free plan includes chat, Deep Research, Canvas and Gems. Before you share any business information, switch off the setting that lets Google use your chats to improve its AI models.
Where can you use Gemini?
In the browser: gemini.google.com
On your phone: the Gemini app for Android and iPhone.
Inside Gmail and Google Docs: on a paid plan, Gemini helps you right inside an email or a document.
If your business has its own Google account, use that one for Gemini. It keeps work chats and files separate from your personal ones.
Is Gemini free?
Yes. According to Google's plans page (October 2026):
Free ($0): chat, Deep Research with sources, Canvas, Gems and 15 GB of storage.
Google AI Plus ($4.99/month): twice the free usage, Gemini in Gmail and 400 GB of storage.
Google AI Pro ($19.99/month): four times the free usage, stronger models, Gemini in Gmail and Docs, 5 TB of storage.
Google AI Ultra (from $99.99/month): the highest limits. Few small businesses need it at the start.
Prices are in US dollars and can vary by country, so check the plans page before you pay.
Tip: Start free. Upgrade when you hit the limits every day or when you want Gemini inside Gmail and Docs.
How do you stop Gemini from training on your chats?
While Keep activity is on, Google uses your chats to improve its services, including its AI models, and a subset of chats is read by human reviewers.
In Gemini, open Settings & help and choose Activity.
The Gemini Apps Activity page opens. Direct link: myactivity.google.com/product/gemini
Under Keep activity, click On and choose Turn off.
Once it is off, new chats are not used to train Google's AI models. Google still keeps them for 72 hours to respond to you and keep Gemini safe. Temporary chats are not used for training either.
Warning: Google's own advice is not to enter confidential information you wouldn't want a reviewer to see. Never type passwords, card numbers or customers' personal details into any AI. More in our guide: how to protect your data in ChatGPT and Claude.
What are Gems?
A Gem is your own version of Gemini with saved instructions, similar to a Project in ChatGPT or Claude. You describe your business once instead of in every chat. Gems are included in the free plan.
In Gemini, open the sidebar and click Gems. If you haven't made a Gem yet, find it under Settings & help.
Click New Gem and name it, for example "My bakery".
Add a short business description and working rules to the instructions, then click Save:
My business: a neighbourhood bakery with 2 staff. Most customers live nearby and come in the morning and evening. Average ticket is about 9 GEL.
Rules: answer in plain language and fit the answer to my business. If data is missing, ask me first. Do not make anything up.Every chat you start in that Gem already knows this context.
Your first business prompt in Gemini
A vague question ("How do I grow sales?") gets a vague answer. Try five parts instead:
My business and situation: I run a 6-room guesthouse in the mountains in Georgia. It is full in summer, but half the rooms are empty from November to March.
Material: last winter I cut prices by 20% and it did not help.
Goal: I want to pick 1-2 steps I can start in November.
Answer format: a table with 3 columns: idea, cost, when I will see a result. Max 5 rows.
Before you answer, ask me 3-5 questions. If data is missing, ask instead of guessing.Why this structure works, and how to check the answer, is covered in how to use ChatGPT effectively. The same rules apply to Gemini.
Gemini, ChatGPT or Claude?
If your day runs on Gmail and Google Docs, Gemini fits naturally. ChatGPT and Claude have their own strengths, and checking an important answer with a second AI improves quality. See the comparison: Claude vs ChatGPT for small business, and the guides on ChatGPT and Claude.
Azrioni teaches small business owners to apply AI to their own business with proven business methods in our AI course for business (in Georgian).
FAQ
Is Gemini free?
Yes. With a Google account you get chat, Deep Research, Canvas and Gems for free. Paid plans add more usage and Gemini inside Gmail and Docs.
Does Google use my Gemini chats to train its AI?
If Keep activity is on, yes, and human reviewers read a subset of chats. You can turn it off in Settings & help › Activity.
Can I use Gemini in other languages?
Yes. Gemini's web app supports dozens of languages, including Georgian. Always proofread customer-facing text before you publish it.
Sources
About the author
Niko Tevdorashvili, founder of Azrioni. 17+ years leading marketing teams, 100+ projects across 15+ sectors, from banking to tourism. AI has been part of all his consulting and training programs for the past 4 years.
Want help fitting AI to your business? Write to info@azrioni.ai. Our courses are taught in Georgian.
Updated: October 18, 2026.
Comments