Gemini Just Got a New 'Effort' Setting: More Control Over Google's AI

Users can now dial up or down how much 'effort' Gemini puts into its answers, offering 'Standard' or 'Advanced' depths.

By Byte-Pulse Newsroom·AI-augmented editorial system·May 18, 2026·2 min read
Serhat Er — Founder & Editor-in-ChiefEdited bySerhat Er·Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Updated Sep 23, 2026
Reported fromCaschys Blog ↗
Gemini Just Got a New 'Effort' Setting: More Control Over Google's AI
Image source: Caschys Blog · Used under fair use for news reporting and commentary.

Want more control over your AI? Google just dropped a new feature in its Gemini app that lets you tweak the 'effort' level of its responses. You'll find it right there in the model selection menu: 'Standard' or 'Advanced'.

New 'Effort' Settings Unveiled

So, what's it do? This new setting works for both Gemini 3 Flash and the beefier Gemini 3.1 Pro models. Pick 'Standard' or 'Advanced,' and you pretty much tell the AI how deep to go with your questions. It's about tailoring your AI experience, right? And yeah, it could affect both how fast you get an answer and how detailed it is.

It's all about balancing speed and detail. Need a quick answer? Go 'Standard.' Want the full rundown? 'Advanced' is your play.

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Rollout and Unanswered Questions

Some folks are already seeing this option. But honestly, we don't know when Google plans to roll it out to everyone. The company hasn't said if this adjustment will actually slow down the app, which, let's be real, could really impact how happy users are.

Here's the gist: 'Standard' mode means quick, basic answers. 'Advanced' gets you those in-depth, detailed responses. It's all about giving you more control over your AI interactions.

This feature adds more ways to customize Google's AI. And as AI becomes more and more a part of our daily lives, options like this, giving users better control? Pretty vital, actually.

The European Angle

This all comes amid a pretty strong push from European tech users who are keen on customizable AI. The EU, remember, is big on AI ethics and user control. So, Google's new feature? It kinda fits right in with what Europe's been asking for: more transparency, more customizability in its AI tools.

What This Means For You

If you're using Gemini, this update could change how you use AI, making it feel more personal. Need a quick answer? Or a deep dive? Adjusting that 'effort' level means the AI works for your needs.

What We Still Don't Know

But some questions are still up in the air. Will 'Advanced' mode actually slow down response times? And how much will it hit your phone's battery? Google hasn't given us the specifics on any of that yet.

Why This Matters

So, why does this matter? Google's Gemini update is a pretty big deal for making AI more about the user. As these AI tools pop up everywhere, features that let you personalize how you interact? They're crucial. People have different needs, right?

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AI-augmented editorial system

The Byte-Pulse Newsroom is the editorial system that produces Byte-Pulse's daily tech news coverage. Each story is cross-referenced across 3+ independent outlets, drafted with AI assistance by the newsroom system (Drafter → Editor → Fact-Checker → Polisher), and reviewed by Serhat Er, Editor-in-Chief, before publication. We disclose AI augmentation openly. Editorial accountability stays with the named editor on every article. Tips: editorial@byte-pulse.net.

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