Google gave the Gemini app a new place called Customize. In it you can add skills and connect more than 40 apps. A skill is a set of instructions you write one time, and Gemini follows it every time you need it.
Google also released a new model the same day, Gemini 4 Argon.
What is a skill?
Google says skills are "reusable, custom instructions." Think of a skill as a recipe card for one job.
Instead of explaining your brand voice in every chat, you save it once as a skill. Then you call on it whenever you need it. You can even use more than one skill in the same chat.
Google's own examples include a brand voice skill for drafting blog posts and a weekly newsletter skill.
Here's a nice surprise. Gemini skills use an open file format called SKILL.md. That is the same kind of skill file Claude uses. Google says you can copy skills from other platforms.
Who gets it?
- Customize is for every Gemini plan, including free.
- It works on the web, on your phone, and in the Gemini desktop app for Windows and Mac.
- Skills in the Gemini app started rolling out October 13. Google expects them to reach everyone by mid November. If you don't see them yet, check back.
- Connected apps: most work in English in the U.S. Some also work in other English speaking countries, Brazil and India.
Where do you find it?
Open the left menu in the Gemini app and click Customize. That is where you add skills, look at apps, and manage what you connected.
You can take back an app's access any time.
Want click by click steps for making a skill? See Google's help page called "Create & manage skills for Gemini Apps."
Try this: make a brand voice skill
Write down how you sound. Keep it short. For example:
My brand voice
Write like a friend who has done this before. Use short sentences and simple words. Talk to one person, using "you." No hype words. No emojis. End with one clear next step.
Words I use: [list 3 to 5 of your favorite phrases]
Words I never use: [list the ones that make you cringe]
Save that as a skill. Then try it:
Use my brand voice skill. Write 5 social posts about [a topic your clients ask about all the time].
Read them. If one sounds off, tell Gemini what to fix, and update your skill so it does better next time.
What about Gems?
If you made Gems in Gemini, they are not going away yet. Google says Gems move into the Settings panel on November 17, 2026. For business and enterprise accounts, Gems will stop working no sooner than March 1, 2027. Leftover Gems will be turned into draft skills.
So skills are where Google is headed.
And what is Gemini 4 Argon?
It is Google's newest model. Google says it is built for hard, complex tasks. It is rolling out around the world in the Gemini app. You need the Google AI Pro or Ultra plan to use it.
What should you watch out for?
Only connect apps you are comfortable sharing. And read what Gemini writes before you post it. Your skill gets it close. You make it yours.
The bigger picture
Here's the thing. The AI that knows your voice saves you the most time. Write your voice down one time, and every tool you use gets better.