Google has rolled out an enhancement to the Gemini-powered Help Me Write tool in Gmail, offering users more flexibility in editing AI-created email drafts. This new option enables individuals to provide custom instructions in text form to modify drafts, moving beyond the previous reliance on fixed editing choices. Additionally, the update introduces undo and redo functions for AI modifications, simplifying the process of perfecting emails prior to dispatch. The company indicates that the rollout is underway and should be accessible to qualified users by July 20.

Gmail's Gemini-Powered Help Me Write Receives Custom Refinement Capabilities

Per a Google announcement, the Help Me Write feature in Gmail now permits users to specify precise edits to an email draft via the prompt field. After Gemini generates an initial draft, users can enter a follow-up prompt detailing desired modifications, prompting Gmail to adjust the content accordingly. The AI then refreshes the draft in line with the provided guidance.

This functionality broadens the prior set of refinement tools, which were restricted to options like Polish, Formalise, and Shorten. Users can now request targeted adjustments, such as incorporating omitted details in a specific part of the email or adding a time constraint to the correspondence. Gmail further supports reversing or repeating AI edits during the refinement stage.

The tech company based in Mountain View noted that the feature activates automatically for eligible accounts. Workspace customers need administrators to enable Gemini for Workspace in Gmail along with Workspace Intelligence access. No manual activation is required by end users once deployed.

Distribution has started for Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains, aiming for broader access by July 20. It covers Business Starter, Standard and Plus, Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus, Frontline Plus, Google AI Pro for Education, AI Expanded Access customers, and Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra subscribers.

Help Me Write serves as Google's integrated writing aid powered by Gemini within Gmail. It generates full email drafts from brief prompts and refines existing ones. Previously limited to preset adjustments for tone, length, or clarity, the update now allows bespoke editing directives for finer control over Gemini's revisions.