Chrome’s Gemini AI Summarize Feature Makes Webpages Instantly Understandable

Google has just taken another significant leap in integrating artificial intelligence directly into its Chrome browser, and this time, the focus is on helping users make sense of dense or complex webpages. The latest update introduces a smart Summarize feature powered by Gemini, Google’s new-generation AI assistant.

This addition aims to simplify how we process online information, whether it’s a long article, a technical guide, or a cluttered product comparison page. With Gemini now embedded into Chrome for both Android and iOS, users can finally have the browser itself explain – in clear, concise language – what a webpage is all about.

The Gemini overlay: AI that sees, reads, and explains
The Gemini overlay is now live on Chrome’s stable build for Android 16 and the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 update. Once activated, the overlay slides upward from the bottom of your display, transforming Chrome into a mini command center for AI-driven browsing. At the top of this interface sits a prompt box where you can type a question or command for Gemini – from asking about a webpage’s topic to clarifying specific sections or comparing items mentioned in the text.

Directly below that prompt is a button labeled “Ask about page,” which lets you query Gemini about what you’re reading. You could, for example, ask it to “compare the two laptops mentioned here” or “explain this medical term.” But the most eye-catching addition is the Summarize button. One tap and Gemini distills the essence of the page you’re viewing into a short, structured summary

. No more skimming endless paragraphs – just an instant, AI-curated digest of what matters most.

How to use Summarize on Android
Activating this feature is straightforward. Open Chrome on your Pixel or other Android device, load any website, and long-press the power button. This gesture launches the Gemini overlay. Tap on the Summarize option, and within seconds, you’ll get a compact breakdown of the page’s content. The feature isn’t limited to regular websites; it also works seamlessly in Chrome Custom Tabs (such as those opened via Discover) and even in Google News stories or search result pages. Essentially, anywhere Chrome can render a page, Gemini can interpret and summarize it.

Expanding Gemini’s visual intelligence
Above the Summarize button is a toggle labeled “Share screen with Live.” This feature allows Gemini Live to visually interpret what’s on your screen. Think of it as giving the AI eyes – it can understand the context of what you’re viewing. If you’re shopping, Gemini can compare two products, highlight specs, or show you reviews. If you’re following assembly instructions for furniture or gadgets in another language, Gemini can interpret diagrams and offer easy-to-follow steps. This deeper integration positions Gemini not just as a chatbot, but as a real-time digital assistant that bridges text, visuals, and user intent.

Gemini Summarize for iOS users
iPhone users aren’t left behind. On Chrome for iOS, open the app and navigate to any article or webpage. On the left side of the address bar, you’ll notice a small icon that resembles a stack of papers with a plus sign. Tap it to bring up the “Page tools” menu from the bottom of your screen. You’ll see two options: “Search screen” (with the Google Lens icon) and “Ask Gemini” (with Gemini’s signature sparkle). Choose “Ask Gemini,” and when the overlay appears, tap Summarize to instantly condense the content. The experience is as fluid as on Android, offering iOS users the same power to decode long or complicated texts in seconds.

How to make Gemini your full-time assistant
To enable these features, the Gemini app must be installed on your phone. Android users can grab it directly from the Google Play Store, while iOS users can find it in the App Store. Once installed, you can even replace the traditional Google Assistant with Gemini. On Android, open the Gemini app, tap your profile icon, go to Settings → “Digital assistants from Google,” and choose Gemini as the default assistant. This unlocks richer answers, more natural conversations, and extended functionalities like setting alarms, managing tasks, or summarizing content – all in one ecosystem.

Gemini vs. Google Assistant: the smarter choice
Users who have switched to Gemini often report deeper, more context-aware responses compared to Google Assistant. While Assistant handles quick tasks, Gemini is designed for reasoning, explaining, and understanding content at a human-like level. This makes the new Summarize button a logical evolution of Google’s AI ambitions – transforming Chrome from a passive browser into an intelligent reading companion. With this, Google is clearly signaling its intention to merge browsing, search, and generative AI into one cohesive experience, where every webpage can become instantly comprehensible.

In essence, Chrome’s new Summarize feature is not just a convenience tool – it’s a glimpse of what the web might look like when AI becomes a natural extension of how we read and learn. Whether you’re deciphering dense news reports, comparing tech specs, or translating instructions, Gemini ensures that no page ever feels overwhelming again.