What is the Gemini File Search Tool and how does it function as a managed RAG solution?

Question

Accepted Answer

## Overview

The Gemini File Search Tool is a fully managed Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system integrated directly into the Gemini API.

## Key Features

The API response contains grounding_metadata with citations for provenance.

## Technical Specifications

Pricing: file storage and query-time embedding generation are free, with charges of $0.15 per 1 million tokens for indexing.

## How It Works

Users create a File Search Store, upload raw files, and the tool automatically handles chunking, embedding, and indexing.

## Use Cases

## Limitations and Requirements

It offers less granular control over chunking strategies compared to custom builds and lacks hybrid search.

## Comparison to Alternatives

The primary advantage is its contrast with custom RAG stacks requiring multiple disparate components.

## Summary

In conclusion, the Gemini File Search Tool is a managed RAG solution that significantly lowers the barrier to entry.

Google Gemini