Google has announced new Gemini app features designed for small business owners[1]. The two pillars are a connection with Google Business Profile and "Business notebooks," a dedicated hub for business work, both of which begin rolling out globally this month[1]. Day-to-day chores such as drafting review replies and updating business hours can now be handed off to an AI that actually understands your business.

One Tap for Gemini to Understand Your Business

The announcement was made on stage at the Google for Brazil event and builds on the new Google AI capabilities introduced in May[1]. Google notes that business owners often play the roles of CEO, marketing lead, and customer service team all before lunch, and explains that for AI to be truly helpful, it needs to remember your brand voice and context so you don't have to re-explain your goals every time you log in[1].

At the core is the connection with Google Business Profile. In the coming weeks, users will be able to securely connect their Business Profile to Gemini with a single tap[1]. Once connected, Gemini gains access to real-world context such as customer reviews, customer questions, and performance data, acting as an AI assistant that actually knows the business[1].

Google Business Profile serves as a digital storefront on Google Search and Maps, building credibility through customer reviews and turning online searches into customer actions like bookings, orders, and sales[1]. With Gemini connected directly to it, owners can manage how they appear on Search and Maps through a simple chat interface.

Review Replies and Hours Updates, All Through Chat

Google highlights three examples of tasks that can be offloaded to Gemini through the connection[1].

First is performance analysis. Ask "how did my business do this month?" and Gemini can analyze real data including search impressions, direction requests, call data, and customer engagement[1]. Second is review management. Ask "help me respond to my latest review," and Gemini drafts a highly tailored response in the brand's voice, referencing the specific feedback the customer left[1]. Third, profile management tasks such as updating operating hours, posting seasonal updates, and identifying gaps in the profile can be handled simply by asking Gemini[1].

Business Notebooks as a Hub for Daily Operations

The other pillar is the newly introduced Business notebooks. These serve as a focused space where owners can organize their chats and sources along with their Google Business Profile and website, and because Gemini references this information, conversations can be picked up right where they left off[1].

Beyond organization, a key feature is that notebooks proactively surface key insights and recommend actionable steps the moment they are opened[1]. Specifically, Google says they provide proactive alerts for items such as unanswered customer questions or holiday hours that haven't been set, grounded recommendations such as pricing or positioning suggestions based on the local market, and streamlined execution that supports moving quickly from ideation to action, from developing creative concepts for promotional campaigns to analyzing performance metrics[1].

Because the notebook functions as a knowledge base grounded in each business's unique context, it can also be used to brainstorm new ideas based on customer reviews and to generate creative assets that match the brand[1].

Availability and What Comes Next

Both the Google Business Profile integration and Business notebooks begin rolling out globally this month[1]. Google says it wants to make it as easy as possible for every small business owner to use its best AI to grow, with special Workspace and Gemini offers coming soon[1].

Summary

The Gemini app now connects directly to Google Business Profile, letting owners complete performance analysis, review replies, and profile updates entirely through chat. The new Business notebooks act as a business hub that holds each company's context and proactively surfaces action items and improvement suggestions. The rollout begins globally this month, and it will be worth watching whether Gemini becomes a practical partner that short-staffed small businesses can rely on.

Source: [1] https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/gemini-app/gemini-features-for-businesses/