Google’s Gemini AI is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools you can use to generate content, research deeply, create visuals and even build apps. It’s more than just a chatbot. After testing it in depth, here are eight practical tricks that will help you use Gemini more effectively.
1. Think Beyond Chat
Most people still treat Gemini like a conversational assistant you ask questions to. But it does much more. Gemini can take audio and text, convert them into structured outputs, and help produce finished work faster. Use it to draft blog posts, brainstorm ideas, or summarize long documents.
The multimodal capabilities are where Gemini shines compared to older generation AI tools.
2. Convert Between Formats Seamlessly
Gemini is designed to handle multiple formats in a single workflow:
- Text to infographics
- Audio to text
- Text to images
- Text to video
This flexibility lets you go from rough input to polished output without hopping between tools.
3. Use Canvas to Create and Edit
Canvas isn’t just a drawing board. It’s a workspace where you can design visuals, tweak layouts, add text, and build components that would normally require separate apps. Think of it as the middle ground between a whiteboard and a design suite.
4. Build Web Apps Directly
One of the more exciting features is the ability to generate web app structure and code inside Gemini’s Canvas. You can sketch an idea, describe it, and let Gemini produce HTML/CSS/JS output you can refine. This is a huge time saver for quick prototypes (similar to what you can build with Lovable) and MVPs.
5. Deep Research Without Extra Tools
Gemini can do more than give you quick answers. It can compile, summarize, and cite information from multiple sources, giving you a research summary that’s surprisingly thorough. This makes it great for deep dives or preparing briefs.
6. Customize with Gems
If you find yourself asking the same queries or working on similar tasks repeatedly, create a custom Gem (conceptually similar to custom agents like Clawdbot). Gems let you save an instruction set or persona that you can reuse without rewriting the same prompts. Think of them as templates you can invoke instantly.
7. Generate Images and Videos
Thanks to Gemini’s integration with Google’s image and video generation tech like Nano Banana, you can produce original imagery or short videos from simple descriptions. That’s a massive advantage for marketers and content creators who want fresh visuals on demand.
8. Guided Learning and Skill Building
Gemini isn’t just reactive. You can ask it to structure your learning, whether that’s a 30-day plan to learn a new skill or a series of practice exercises. Use it like a tutor that adapts to your level and pace.
Final Thoughts
Google Gemini is no longer just a next-gen AI assistant. It’s a versatile platform that lets you do everything from creative work to coding, deep research, and complex project workflows in one place. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or developer, mastering these tricks can dramatically boost your productivity and help you build the 12 AI skills you need.
If you haven’t already, spend some time experimenting with these features. Once you let Gemini transform how you work, you’ll see why many people call this a step change in how we use AI.
