In the realm of AI chatbots, a fierce competition for user engagement is ongoing. Major chatbot companies are vying to boost their user numbers, and in a minor triumph, Google has recently simplified the process for users of rival chatbots to switch to Gemini.

On Thursday, the firm unveiled what it refers to as “switching tools,” new widgets crafted to enable users to migrate “memories” (essentially snippets of personal data) and even full chat histories from other chatbots straight into Gemini. According to the company, users can readily share “important preferences, connections, and personal context” using this method.

The intention is to significantly ease the transition to Google’s AI assistant, as users won’t need to invest extensive time retraining Gemini regarding their identity and desires.

The memory feature functions like this: Gemini will propose a prompt for the user to enter into their existing chatbot, which will subsequently produce a response that can be copied and pasted back into Gemini. In this manner, Gemini advises the user on what types of information would be beneficial for it to know about them, while also aiding in the transfer of that data back into its own system.

“Once you import these memories, Gemini will grasp the same essential details you’ve provided to other applications, such as your hobbies, your sibling’s name, or the town where you were raised,” the company states. “Rather than starting anew, you can swiftly bring Gemini up to date on what is most significant to you.”

For importing chat histories, Google claims that all it takes is uploading them in a zip file. It’s fairly straightforward to export chat logs in zip format from the majority of chatbots — including ChatGPT and Claude. This enables users to “seamlessly continue exactly where you paused,” according to the company. Google also mentions users can search through these past conversations.

ChatGPT continues to dominate the consumer chatbot landscape, with OpenAI sharing last month that it has reached 900 million active users each week. Gemini — despite Google’s extensive distribution advantages, including its default status on Android devices and the Chrome browser — has struggled with consumer recognition. Last month, it disclosed its own metrics during Alphabet’s fourth-quarter earnings report, revealing that Gemini had exceeded 750 million monthly active users. This strategy is clearly aimed at aiding Google in narrowing the gap.