If you've been using Google's AI chatbot Bard, you might have noticed something changed this month. The name is gone. Bard is now Gemini.
So what actually changed? Is this just a name thing, or should you care? Let me break it down.
The Name Change: Mostly Marketing
On February 8, 2024, Google officially retired the Bard name. Everything is now "Gemini" – the chatbot, the underlying technology, the paid tier. One name for the whole thing.
Why? Because Bard had a rough start. When it launched a year ago, Google was scrambling to catch up with ChatGPT, and it showed. Bard made some embarrassing mistakes in its debut demo, and the brand never fully recovered from that first impression.
Gemini is a fresh start. It's also the actual name of Google's AI technology that's been powering Bard for months anyway. So really, this is Google finally aligning the product name with what's under the hood.
What You Get for Free
Here's the good news: the free version of Gemini is still quite capable. It runs on Google's Pro 1.0 model and works in over 40 languages across 230+ countries.
If you were using Bard before, you're now using Gemini. Same tool, new name, same price (free). You can access it at gemini.google.com or through the new Gemini app on Android.
For most small business tasks – drafting emails, brainstorming ideas, getting quick answers – the free version does the job.
The $20/Month Question
Google also launched something called Gemini Advanced, which costs $19.99 per month as part of their new Google One AI Premium Plan.
Here's what you get for that $20:
- Ultra 1.0 model – Google's most powerful AI brain. Better at complex reasoning, coding help, and longer conversations.
- 2TB of Google storage – That's normally $10/month on its own. So if you need the storage anyway, the AI upgrade is effectively $10 extra.
- Coming soon: Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides – This is the big one. But notice those words: "coming soon."
Is It Worth It for Your Business?
Let me be direct: probably not yet.
The killer feature – AI integrated into Gmail and Google Docs – isn't available yet. When that rolls out, the math might change. Having AI help draft emails directly in Gmail, or summarize documents in Google Docs without leaving the app, could be genuinely useful.
But right now? You're paying $20/month for a slightly smarter chatbot and storage you may or may not need.
For comparison, ChatGPT Plus is also $20/month. If you're going to pay for a premium AI tool, it's worth trying both to see which one fits how you work.
The Bottom Line
About 40% of small businesses are now using some kind of AI tool, up from 23% just last year. This stuff is becoming normal.
If you haven't tried AI chatbots yet, the free version of Gemini is a perfectly good place to start. Ask it to help draft a customer email, brainstorm social media post ideas, or explain something you're reading.
As for the paid tier? Wait until the Google Workspace integration actually launches. Then it might be worth the $20/month – especially if you're already drowning in Google Docs and Gmail.
Until then, save your money.
What YouGrow Does Differently
We keep an eye on these AI tools so you don't have to. When something is genuinely useful for small businesses, we'll tell you. When it's hype, we'll tell you that too.
If you're curious about how AI might help your specific business – or you're just confused by all the options – let's talk. No sales pitch, just a conversation about what might actually be useful for you.