New settings for ‘Google Workspace smart features’ control how apps use your data

Google will soon introduce a new settings page for “Google Workspace smart features” that better explains how your emails and other data in Workspace apps can be surfaced in Google products to provide a more personalized experience.

The existing “Smart features and personalization in other Google products” preference is being split “into two distinct settings that govern different product experiences.”

These two new settings control how a “user’s Workspace data” — like emails, calendar events, reminders, etc. — “may be used to personalize Workspace and other Google products.” These are all existing features you’re familiar with:

Turning on these features gives users a richer experience, allowing them to do everything from using Gemini in Workspace to reference Drive files right from Gmail, automatically adding events such as flights from Gmail to Calendar, or compiling loyalty cards and tickets from their inbox into Google Wallet, and more. 

—Google

You have to enable “Smart features in Google Workspace” to:

• Show events from Gmail in Calendar (such as flight itineraries and invitations)
• Personalized search (such as keyword suggestions, file suggestions, and more relevant results)
• Ask Gemini to summarize content, create drafts, and find key information, along with other Gemini for Workspace features

“Smart features in other Google products” allows Maps, Wallet, Gemini, and Assistant to use your Workspace content. For example:

• Restaurant reservations and to-go orders in Maps
• Suggested tickets, passes and loyalty cards in Wallet
• Answers and reminders in Google Assistant
• Answers and suggestions in the Gemini app

Google says this update will “give users more choice and control over their data,” and “do not alter our underlying data handling practices or our robust privacy commitments.” Additionally, these high-level settings do not impact smart existing (per-app) feature controls in Gmail, Meet, and Chat.

Smart feature are turned off “by default” in: The European Economic Area, Japan, Switzerland, and United Kingdom

Google Workspace smart features will be accessible from the settings menu in Gmail, Drive, Chat, and Meet. It will begin rolling out “soon” around the world.