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How to use Gemini Deep Research

Deep Research makes Gemini plan a research task, read many sources and write a full report with citations. Here's how to start one, steer the plan before it runs, and get the report out into Docs.

Updated 30 October 2026

Checked against Google's Gemini Apps Help on 30 October 2026, for the web version on a computer. Button names are correct as of October 2026. Using ChatGPT instead? See how to use ChatGPT deep research.

Start a Deep Research report

1. Go to gemini.google.com and sign in.
2. In the text box, click Add Files, then Deep Research.
3. Optional: to give Gemini your own material, click Add Files → Files and attach documents or an image.
4. Optional: click Sources to choose where it looks. Google Search is on by default; you can add Gmail or Drive (this needs the Google Workspace app connected to Gemini) or a NotebookLM notebook, or untick Search so it only uses your own sources.
5. Type your question. Be specific about the scope, the time period and what you want the report to decide or compare.
6. Click Submit.

Check and edit the research plan

Before any research starts, Gemini replies with a plan: the steps and questions it intends to work through. This is your best chance to steer the report, because changing direction later means running a new one.

1. Read the plan. Look for missing angles or steps you don't need.
2. Click Edit plan and describe the changes, for example "focus on Europe only" or "add a section comparing prices".
3. When the plan looks right, click Start research.

Read the report

Google says a report usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and longer for complex topics. You don't have to wait on the page. When it's done, click Open: on the web the report opens in a panel next to the chat. On a phone, Gemini sends a notification instead.

From the report's panel you can also click Create to turn it into something else, such as an Audio Overview, or describe a custom visual (visuals need Google AI Ultra). To ask follow-up questions, keep typing in the same chat.

Export, share or copy the report

1. Open the report's chat from Recent in the side menu (click Menu if it's hidden).
2. In the panel on the right, click Share & export.
3. Choose Export to Docs to get a Google Doc, Share Canvas to create a link, or Copy Contents to paste the text elsewhere.

Exporting to Docs is the safest way to keep a report you'll need again, since you can then edit it and it no longer depends on your Gemini history. More options are in how to export Gemini chats.

Good to know

• Limits: there's a daily cap on research requests and a cap on how many can run at once. Google doesn't publish fixed numbers on the help page, but Gemini warns you how many you have left that day as you get close. See Gemini usage limits.
• Plans: all users can create reports with Thinking. Google AI Pro and Ultra add the Pro model for higher-quality reports and higher limits.
• History: past reports only stay available if Keep Activity is on. With it off, export anything you want to keep.
• Your data: if you add Gmail or Drive as sources, Gemini reads from them to write the report. Only add them when the question needs them.

If it doesn't work

• You can't find Deep Research. Look under Add Files in the text box, and make sure you're signed in.
• Gmail or Drive isn't offered as a source. Connect the Google Workspace app to Gemini first.
• You've hit the limit. Wait until the next day, or let a running report finish before starting another. Paid plans have higher caps.
• An old report is gone. Keep Activity was probably off, or the chat was deleted. Turn Keep Activity on for future reports, or export them to Docs.

Sources

• Use Deep Research in Gemini Apps (Gemini Apps Help, checked 30 October 2026)

Frequently asked questions