Gemini in Chrome uses the current tab by default, while Copilot in Edge can use browser context such as page content, screenshots, URLs, titles, and browsing history. Their controls do different things: Chrome lets you remove a shared tab or stop automatic current-tab sharing; turning off Edge Context Clues stops browsing-data use for context-based requests, but page titles and URLs may still inform Copilot suggestion tiles. Google’s adult-user supported-region list included the United States when checked on October 31, 2026, subject to other eligibility requirements.
On this page
- What browser context can each assistant use?
- What changes when you turn off sharing?
- How Google and Microsoft describe activity and retention
- Is Gemini in Chrome listed for US adults?
What browser context can each assistant use?
| Gemini in Chrome | Copilot in Edge | |
| Possible browser context | The current tab by default, plus up to 10 additional open tabs you share on a computer. Relevant Chrome history URLs may be used when you ask it to find pages you visited. | Depending on the request and settings, the URL, page title, page content or screenshots, and browsing history. |
| Main control | Remove a shared tab, or turn off “Share current tab by default” in Chrome settings under AI innovations > Gemini in Chrome. | In Edge, open More (…) > Settings > Copilot and AI, then turn off “Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web.” |
| What happens when the control is off | Turning off the default prevents automatic sharing of the current tab. You can also remove an individual shared tab. | Copilot stops using browsing data for context-based requests. Page title and URL may still be used for suggestion tiles. |
Google says Gemini in Chrome processes the content and URLs of current and shared tabs. Some page content it uses may not be visible to you. If you share a Google Workspace page, Gemini may be able to refer to the full document in your Workspace account, not just the content displayed in the tab.
What changes when you turn off sharing?
To stop Gemini in Chrome from using a particular shared page, open “Show shared tabs” in Gemini and remove that tab. To stop Chrome from sharing the current tab automatically in new chats, turn off “Share current tab by default” in Chrome’s AI innovations > Gemini in Chrome settings. That setting controls tab sharing in Gemini in Chrome; it does not turn off Gemini or change other Google services. Microphone, precise-location, and “Let Gemini browse for you” permissions are separate.
Google also lists “Let Gemini browse for you” as a permission. Auto Browse is available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the United States. That is separate from asking Gemini to use a shared tab or summarize a page.
In Edge, turn off “Allow Copilot to read context clues on the web” to stop browsing-data use for requests based on browsing context. Microsoft says suggestion tiles are separate: even with Context Clues off, Edge may use the current page’s title and URL to generate them.
How Google and Microsoft describe activity and retention
Google’s Gemini Apps Privacy Hub, updated October 26, 2026, distinguishes Keep Activity settings from browser context. Google says page content used by Gemini in Chrome is logged temporarily to the Google Account and does not appear in Gemini Apps Activity.
When Keep Activity is off, Google says future chats are retained with the account for 72 hours and are not used to train its AI models unless you submit feedback. Human review may still occur for safety and protection. When Keep Activity is on, activity is set to auto-delete after 18 months by default. Chats already reviewed by human reviewers, and related data, may remain for up to three years even after activity is deleted.
Microsoft says Edge browsing context is not saved in Copilot conversation history, which contains the prompt and response. That statement concerns conversation history; it does not describe every form of processing or retention. Microsoft’s Copilot privacy FAQ applies to an older version of the Copilot app. Microsoft said an updated app for web, desktop, and mobile was available from August 18, 2026, so the older app FAQ does not establish retention terms for Edge browsing context.
Is Gemini in Chrome listed for US adults?
Yes. Google’s adult-user supported-region list included the United States on October 31, 2026. Access also depends on using the latest Chrome version, a supported device and language, signing in, meeting the age requirement, and the feature’s gradual rollout. Gemini in Chrome is unavailable in Incognito mode and on an unsigned-in Chrome profile.
