Using Gemini: how to start free with Google AI

[meta_title]Using Gemini: how to start free with Google AI[/meta_title]
[meta_description]Using Gemini? Learn how to open Google’s AI, what to type as your first prompt, what is free and how to check your privacy settings.[/meta_description]
[slug]gemini-gebruiken[/slug]
[image_alt]Using Gemini on computer and phone[/image_alt]

Using Gemini can be useful if you already have a Google account and suddenly see Gemini appear on your Android phone after a long press on the power button. You may wonder what to do with it, or what happens to your text. In this article, you can take your first useful step in ten minutes.

You will learn where to open Gemini, what to ask first and which privacy setting is worth checking straight away. You will also see a simple example for an email.

What is Gemini and what can you do with it?

Gemini is Google’s AI assistant. You can use it to write, summarise, ask questions and work with text, photos, files or voice.

You type or speak a question. Gemini then gives you an answer in plain language. You can ask it to change that answer, make it shorter or turn it into another format.

Gemini is similar to the same kind of tool as ChatGPT. If you know that better, you can think of Gemini as Google’s version of such an AI assistant. If you want to compare the difference later, read our explanation of using ChatGPT.

For beginners, these tasks are especially useful:

• Drafting an email or message.
• Summarising a long text.
• Making a plan for your day or week.
• Making a text friendlier, shorter or clearer.
• Asking for ideas for a post, presentation or social media update.
• Using a photo or file as the starting point for a question.

It is still a tool. Gemini can sound convincing and still make mistakes. So always check facts, dates and amounts before you send or publish anything.

How can you use Gemini on your computer and phone?

You can use Gemini through gemini.google.com in your browser or through the Gemini app, signed in with a Google account.

Dutch is officially supported in the web app and mobile apps, according to the Startel knowledge base. That source also says users in the EEA must sign in. The EEA is the European Economic Area. The Netherlands and Belgium are part of it. In practice, gemini.google.com or the app will show which sign-in step your account needs.

On some Android phones, you can start Gemini with a long press on the power button or with Hey Google. Google also says Gemini can use your screen as context. That means Gemini can help based on what you are currently seeing, if that feature is available on your device.

Google also says Gemini works with Google apps such as Gmail and Maps. That is especially useful if you already do a lot inside the Google system.

Device	How to start	Useful for
Computer	Go to gemini.google.com and sign in with your Google account.	Writing texts, summarising and making plans.
Android phone	Open the Gemini app. On some devices, a long press on the power button or Hey Google also works.	Quick questions, speaking instead of typing and help with what is on your screen.
Mobile app	Open the Gemini app and sign in.	Making a message, idea or short explanation while you are on the move.

Start small. Do not ask straight away for a complete plan for your whole business or household. Start with one clear task, such as an email, a list or a short explanation.

A short checklist before you begin:

• You have a Google account.
• You choose the website or the app.
• You check the Keep activity setting.
• You do not enter sensitive information.
• You do not use customer data or patient data in a personal account.

Are you working for an organisation? First check your employer’s AI policy. It may say which AI tools you may or may not use.

What is your first prompt when using Gemini?

Your first prompt when using Gemini works best if you give a role, a goal and the context, and ask for a clear format.

A prompt is simply the question or instruction you give to the AI. So you do not need technical language. Write as if you are asking a colleague for help.

A good prompt often contains four things:

1. Role: who should Gemini act as, for example a personal assistant.
2. Goal: what you want to achieve.
3. Context: what Gemini needs to know in order to help.
4. Format: whether you want an email, list, table or short text.

You can copy this template straight away:

Then ask follow-up questions. If the answer is too long, type for example: make it shorter. If the tone is too stiff, ask for a warmer tone. If you want a different layout, ask for a table or a step-by-step plan.

You can also use the microphone if you prefer speaking to typing. Or you can upload a photo and ask a question about it. Just stay safe. Do not put sensitive information in your question.

If you want to know more about the basics, read our explanation of what a prompt is.

How much does Gemini cost and is it free?

Using Gemini can be free, but the free version has limits and those limits can change.

Free users have basic access to Gemini’s most powerful models with changing daily limits. Paid plans offer more features. Google uses names such as Google AI Pro and Ultra.

Limits and subscriptions can change often. That is why we do not mention fixed numbers of prompts, prices or exact limits here. Do you want to know what currently applies to your account? Check Google itself before you make a choice.

For beginners, the free version is often enough to practise with emails, summaries and simple plans. If you run into limits, you can then see whether a paid plan is needed.

AIzine also wrote about Gemini 4 Argon. That is about a paid new model. You do not need to do anything with that for this beginner article.

Use	Does the free version fit?	Note
Writing an email	Usually yes	Always check the content.
Summarising a text	Usually yes	The summary may miss something.
Heavy or frequent use	Not always	Limits can change.
Access to more powerful models	Limited	Paid plans give you more.

What about your privacy in Gemini?

If you are signed in and Keep activity is on, Google stores your Gemini Apps activity in your Google account.

You can review your prompts, delete activity and turn Keep activity off. This matters before you start using Gemini seriously, especially if you work with customers, patients, pupils, colleagues or other people.

On a computer, you can check the setting like this:

1. Go to gemini.google.com.
2. Open Settings and help.
3. Choose Activity.
4. Choose Turn off if you do not want to use Keep activity.

Note: if Keep activity is off, according to Google only Utilities, Phone, Messages and WhatsApp are available. That can affect what Gemini can do for you.

Are you using a work or school account? Then the Google Workspace administrator manages the activity. In that case, you may not have full control yourself.

Do not share your national insurance number, medical data, customer data or other sensitive information. In the Netherlands and Belgium, you must handle personal data carefully. Do not simply put customer data or patient data into a private account.

The AI Act mainly affects AI providers. Entrepreneurs who use AI must also make sure people have AI literacy. That means the people working with AI must understand enough about its opportunities, errors and risks. This article does not go into the legal side, but it is a good reason to make clear agreements.

If you want to look at this more closely, read our explanation of using AI safely.

Gemini or ChatGPT: which should you choose as a beginner?

Gemini is useful if you already use a lot of Google, such as Gmail, Maps or Android, while ChatGPT is also a good alternative.

The best choice depends on how you work. If you mainly use Google services, Gemini often feels natural. If you mainly want to ask separate questions, create texts or compare ideas, you can also try ChatGPT.

A simple test helps. Ask the same question to both tools and see which answer you can use best. Do not only look at nice sentences, but also at accuracy, tone and usefulness.

For example, use the same task for an email or summary. Then check which answer needs less editing. That way, you quickly see what suits you.

If you want a broader view, use our guide to comparing AI tools.

Practical example: using Gemini for an email

You can use Gemini for an email by putting your goal, audience, dates, tone and length into one clear instruction.

Suppose Sandra is a self-employed physiotherapist in Zwolle and wants to send a friendly email to patients about changed opening hours during the Christmas week.

She does not start with just write an email. She gives more context. That gives Gemini more to work with.

The expected result is a usable draft with a subject line. Sandra can then improve this draft. For example, she can ask for a shorter version and a more formal way of addressing people.

Then Sandra checks the dates. She also adds her own practice details. That is sensible, because you do not want to put personal or business details in a personal account unnecessarily.

This example shows well how you use Gemini as your first writing helper, not as an editor that gets everything right automatically.

Common mistakes when using Gemini

The biggest mistakes when using Gemini are asking vague questions, copying answers blindly and skipping privacy settings.

Beginners often make the same mistakes. That is understandable, because Gemini feels easy to use. Even so, it is better to build good habits from the start.

Mistake	Why this goes wrong	Better way
Too vague a question, such as write an email	Gemini misses the goal, audience, tone and length.	Say who the email is for, what it must include and how long it may be.
Copying the answer blindly	Gemini can make mistakes or invent things. That is also called hallucinating.	Check facts, dates, amounts and names.
Entering sensitive information	Personal or business data can end up in your account unnecessarily.	Leave it out or anonymise it.
Never checking the privacy setting	You then do not know whether Keep activity is on.	Review Activity before you start.
Always expecting the most powerful model	The free version has changing limits.	Read what applies to your account on Google’s site.

A good rule of thumb: anything you would not put in a public email, you should not simply put into Gemini either. That is especially true for customer data, patient data, colleagues or financial information.

Use Gemini mainly for the first version. You remain responsible for the final check.

Frequently asked questions

Here you will find short answers to questions many beginners have before they start with Gemini.

Is Gemini free?

Yes, there is a free version with limits. The details can change, so check Google to see what currently applies to your account.

Do I need a Google account?

You use Gemini with a Google account. According to the Startel knowledge base, users in the EEA must sign in. The Netherlands and Belgium are within the EEA.

Does Gemini work in Dutch?

Yes, Dutch is officially supported in the web app and mobile apps, according to the Startel knowledge base.

Can I delete my conversations?

Yes, through Activity in Gemini you can review prompts and delete activity. You can also turn Keep activity off via Settings and help, Activity and Turn off.

Is Gemini the same as Google Search?

No. In Gemini, you have a conversation and get a written answer. Always check facts, because AI can make mistakes.

The next step: try the prompt template today with a real email of your own, set Keep activity as you want it, and then compare it with using ChatGPT.

• Gemini
• Google
• Prompts