A Google feature is disappearing, while a paid alternative is taking its place. Google describes the move as an upgrade, but for users who still rely on free accounts, it may feel more like a step backward under a more appealing name.
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Google confirmed on September 27, 2026, that it will discontinue Gems and replace it with Skills, with support for Gems ending completely in November. However, the details surrounding the change raise questions about who will actually be able to use the new feature.
What will happen to Gems?
For those unfamiliar with the feature, Google launched Gems in August 2024 as Gemini's response to custom GPTs.
The feature allowed users to save a set of instructions and turn them into a reusable assistant, instead of having to rewrite the same instructions each time.
Skills are based on the same idea but give Gemini a more proactive role. The system can identify what a task requires rather than waiting for the user to specify everything directly.
Starting November 17, Google will automatically convert all Gems into Skills, while existing Gems will continue to work normally until that date.
One of the key features of Skills is that they work more like shortcuts than Gems. Users can type a slash followed by the @ symbol, allowing Gemini either to automatically select the appropriate skill or to use multiple skills together in a single conversation.
Who can use Skills?
This is where the main issue arises.
Gems were available for free to anyone with a Google account, but using Skills will require a Google AI Pro subscription costing $19.99 per month, or an Ultra subscription costing $99.99 per month, along with access to Gemini Spark.
Users must also be over 18 and use a personal account rather than an account provided by a school or workplace.
Skills will also not currently be available to users in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or Nigeria.
Google has not yet clarified whether the paid subscription requirement for using Skills will be permanent or temporary.
The company has also not explained what will happen to free users who have a large number of Gems once Skills become available only to subscribers on paid plans.
