Google to replace Gemini Gems with skills by November 17
Google has announced the discontinuation of the "Gems" feature in its Gemini app, replacing it with a new system called "skills." This change, first reported by 9to5Google, is part of a broader shift as competitors like Meta launch all-in-one AI agents. Users who created custom Gems for tasks like coding or brainstorming will see their work automatically migrated to the new skills format…
What you can do with it
AI at Work →Draft emails with Gemini app
Add reusable custom instructions to Gemini prompts.
- Who for
- marketers
- Cost
- free
- Effort
- minutes
- Already included in
- all Google Workspace customers
Use it for
- Draft emails
- Plan lessons
- Analyze vendors
How to set it up · From the article
- Open Gemini app
- Click skill builder in Docs
- Create new skill
- Use skill in prompt
Watch out Skills do not sync between Gemini app and Workspace
Google Gemini in the tool directory · 3 changes covered
Key points from the news
- Google is shutting down Gemini Gems and migrating them to "skills" by November 17, 2026.
- Users must type a forward slash to select skills, a less consumer-friendly interface than chat.
- The change follows the rise of all-in-one agents like Meta’s Muse and Instinct.
Gems, launched in 2024, allowed users to build and share custom AI assistants to avoid repeating instructions. While the migration preserves user data, the new interface requires users to type a forward slash "/" to select a skill, a method often preferred by engineers over general consumers. The article critiques Google’s strategy of frequently rebranding and merging features, noting that this approach can confuse users and detract from the simplicity of standard chatbot interactions.
Model page: Muse →
Google is killing off Gemini’s Gems in favor of ‘skills’
TechCrunch AI · 28 September 2026
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This text was published by TechCrunch AI and written by Sarah Perez. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
Coverage and discussion
8sources- Google drops Gems for Skills, joining OpenAI and Anthropic in the shift to agent-ready prompt formatsPress · The Decoder ·
- Introducing skills in the Gemini app and Workspace, plus what’s next for GemsPress · Google Workspace Updates ·
- Adios, Gems: Google’s new Gemini skills won’t be paywalledPress · pcworld.com ·
- Google to Replace Gemini Gems With Plainly-Named SkillsPress · extremetech.com ·
- Google says it will migrate Gems, which let users create custom versions of Gemini, to "skills", starting Nov. 17; Google introduced skills with Gemini SparkPress · 9to5google.com ·
- Google Gemini starts turning your Gems into skills on November 17Press · notebookcheck.net ·
- Google Gemini turns your Gems into skills on November 17Press · notebookcheck.net ·
The headline, key points and digest above were generated by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources. Automated summaries can contain errors: the sources are the record. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Published by Martin K., who runs Digest AI and handles corrections.
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