Google is rolling out several new Gemini 3-powered features to the free version of Gmail, aiming to help users better manage crowded inboxes through AI summaries, task suggestions, and writing tools.
“Email has changed considerably since Gmail launched in 2004,” Google said in a blog post. “With email volume at an all-time high, managing your inbox and the flow of information has become as important as the emails themselves.”
One of the key additions is AI Overviews for Gmail, which summarize long email threads into concise key points. Similar to AI Overviews in Google Search, the feature is designed to help users quickly understand lengthy conversations without scrolling through entire threads. AI Overview conversation summaries are now rolling out to all users for free.
Gmail users will also be able to ask Gemini questions about their inbox using natural language, such as searching for past quotes or contacts without digging through old emails. However, this question-based feature will require a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription.
Another major update is AI Inbox, a new tool that scans a user’s entire inbox and generates a list of recommended to-dos. Accessible from the left-hand menu, AI Inbox acts as a personalized briefing by filtering out less important messages and highlighting emails from “VIPs,” based on factors like frequent contacts, saved contacts, and inferred relationships from message content.
Google says AI Inbox will launch more widely in the coming months after being tested by a group of trusted users. The company emphasized that all AI analysis is handled securely, with user data remaining under the same privacy protections as existing Gmail features.
Google is also expanding access to Help Me Write, its AI-powered writing assistant. Previously limited to Workspace users, the tool is now rolling out to all Gmail users for free. Help Me Write can draft emails from scratch or refine existing drafts by improving clarity, tone, and structure.
Starting next month, Help Me Write will gain additional context from other Google apps, further integrating Gmail into Google’s broader AI ecosystem. A new Proofread feature will offer advanced grammar, tone, and style suggestions, though it will require a Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription.
Finally, Google is rebranding Smart Replies as Suggested Replies, which provide real-time writing suggestions as users type. Suggested Replies are free for all users and are designed to better match individual writing styles.
Together, the updates signal Google’s continued push to integrate AI more deeply into everyday Gmail use, while gradually expanding advanced features through paid subscriptions.
