Guides · Updated 2026-10-23

Gemini for small business (UK): Google's new tools explained

On 20 October 2026 Google announced a set of Gemini tools aimed at small business owners: a business landing page inside the Gemini app, a way to save your brand style for images, help turning messy spreadsheets and receipts into charts, and connections to Google Business Profile, Google Ads and apps such as Xero, Canva and Shopify. Google says they are rolling out globally to all Gemini app users, including free accounts, over the coming days. This guide explains what each part does, what it means for a UK trade or small business, what it costs, and where to be careful. Everything was checked on Google's own pages on 23 October 2026.

What Google announced

Google's post, "New Gemini tools for small business owners", lists four changes (Google: new Gemini tools for small business owners):

• A business landing page. One place in the Gemini app to build your brand, look at your finances and understand customer feedback.
• Connected apps. Links to Google Business Profile, Google Ads and Google Workspace, plus third-party apps including Adobe, Canva, Dropbox, Shopify, Wix, Zoho and Xero.
• On-brand visuals. You upload your website, brand kit, fonts or colours once, and Gemini keeps that style when it makes images with Nano Banana 2.1, Google's latest image model.
• Financial insights. Gemini can turn spreadsheets, receipts and purchase records into charts and simple interactive models.

Two related changes landed in the same fortnight. On 13 October Google released Gemini 4 Argon, its new top model, in the Gemini app for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers (Google: Gemini 4 Argon in the Gemini app). And a new "Customize" menu brings custom skills and connected apps into one place, for all users (Google Workspace Updates, 21 October 2026).

The UK catch: connected apps

Read the small print before you plan around the app links. Google's Workspace update says most connected apps are currently available in English in the US, with "select apps" in other English-speaking regions, Brazil and India. So in the UK you may not see Xero, Shopify or the others straight away, and the list may differ from the announcement. Open the left menu in Gemini, choose Customize, and see what is offered on your account before you rely on it.

What it costs in the UK

Ultra is from Google's UK plans page (gemini.google UK subscriptions); Plus and Pro are from Google's UK App Store listing. Google says paid Google AI plans need a personal Google account and are for over-18s. If your team uses a business Google Workspace account, your admin controls which Gemini features and connected apps you get. For the wider picture, see Is Google Gemini free? and How much is Google AI Pro in the UK?.

What it means for a UK trade or small business

The useful part is less about any one feature and more about Gemini sitting next to tools you may already use. Most UK trades have a Google Business Profile, and many use Gmail. If the Business Profile link reaches your account, you can ask Gemini about your local search and Maps performance and draft updates in the same place. Google's own example is a single-site restaurant owner who checks local search between shifts and plans weekend posts. Our answer on using AI for your Google Business Profile covers what to post.

The brand style feature suits anyone who makes their own flyers, van graphics mock-ups or social images. Saving your logo colours and fonts once saves re-explaining them every time. Check every image before you use it: AI images can still get text, logos and hands wrong, and you are responsible for anything you publish.

The finance charts are handy for a quick look at where money goes. They are not bookkeeping. Keep your records in proper accounting software, and use Gemini to ask questions of a copy of the figures.

How to try it in 20 minutes

1. Open the Gemini app or gemini.google.com and look for the business landing page. If you can't see it yet, the rollout hasn't reached your account.
2. Open Customize from the left menu and check which connected apps are offered in the UK. Connect only the ones you need, and remember you can disconnect them at any time.
3. Upload your logo and colours and ask for one simple image, such as a "we're open bank holiday Monday" post.
4. Export last quarter's income and costs as a spreadsheet, remove customer names, and ask for a chart of costs by month.
5. Decide whether you need more. If you hit the free limits, Google AI Plus at £4.49 a month is the cheapest paid step.

Prompts to try

Using my saved brand style, make a square social post announcing that we now cover [area]. Keep the text short: "[Business name] now covers [area]. Free quotes." Don't add any other claims.

Copy prompt

Here is a spreadsheet of my costs for the last 3 months, with customer names removed. Make a chart of spending by category, then list the 3 categories that grew most. Don't give tax advice.

Copy prompt

I'm a [trade] in [town]. Draft 4 short Google Business Profile updates for the next month, one a week, based on the season and the jobs I do: [list jobs]. No discounts or prices.

Copy prompt

Limits and risks

• Rollout is gradual. Google says "coming days"; some features may take longer to reach UK accounts.
• Connected apps see your data. Linking Xero, Gmail or your Business Profile lets Gemini read what that account can see. Only connect what you need, and review permissions under Customize. See Is Gemini in Gmail safe?.
• Check figures. A chart can look right and still be built on a misread column. Compare totals with your own records.
• No customer data in prompts. Strip names, addresses and phone numbers before pasting anything.
• Not advice. Gemini is not an accountant or solicitor. Check UK tax and legal points on GOV.UK or with a professional.

If you're choosing between assistants, our ChatGPT vs Gemini comparison sets out prices and differences, and the Gemini tool page keeps the plan details in one place.

Sources

All read on 23 October 2026: Google: new Gemini tools for small business owners (20 October 2026); Google Workspace Updates: an easier way to customise how Gemini works for you (21 October 2026); Google: Gemini 4 Argon in the Gemini app (13 October 2026); Gemini UK subscriptions page; Google Gemini listing on the UK App Store (AI Plus £4.49, AI Pro £18.99 a month).

FAQ

What are Gemini's new small business tools?

Announced by Google on 20 October 2026: a business landing page in the Gemini app, saved brand styles for images, charts from spreadsheets and receipts, and connections to Google Business Profile, Google Ads, Workspace and apps such as Xero, Canva and Shopify.

Are Gemini's small business tools free?

Google says the business landing page, marketing and finance skills and new connected apps are rolling out to all Gemini app users, which includes the free plan. Paid plans raise the usage limits.

Do Gemini's connected apps work in the UK?

Not all of them yet. Google says most connected apps are currently available in English in the US, with select apps in other English-speaking regions. Check the Customize menu on your own account.

How much is Gemini for a small business in the UK?

Free is £0, Google AI Plus is £4.49 a month, Google AI Pro is £18.99 a month and Ultra starts at £79.99 a month, checked 23 October 2026.

Can Gemini connect to Xero?

Xero is on Google's list of connected apps for the new tools. Whether it is offered on your UK account depends on the rollout, so check Customize in the Gemini app.

Can Gemini do my bookkeeping?

No. It can chart and explain figures you give it, but it does not keep records or file returns. Use accounting software and check tax points on GOV.UK.