Tag Archives: Google Chat

Introducing membership search and the option to add up to 50,000 members to spaces in Google Chat

What’s changing

In continuing our efforts to boost communication and collaboration for teams of all sizes in Google Workspace, we’re increasing the number of users you can add to a space in Google Chat from 8,000 to 50,000. 

This update is especially impactful for company-wide announcements, event-oriented spaces, large communities within companies, and support-related spaces. 

We hope this feature not only helps increase connectivity and sense of belonging but also creates broader and more thriving communities within your organizations. 

50,000 members to spaces in Google Chat

Additionally, we are introducing the ability to easily search for members within a space. If a member is present, you can change their role and if a member is not present, you can add the member to the space. 

membership search spaces in chat

Getting started 

Rollout pace 

Large spaces: 
Member search — Web: 
Member Search — Mobile: 
  • Android: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 7, 2023 
  • iOS: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 28, 2023 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

Resources 

Ability to create spaces, memberships, group chats, and more using the Google Chat API is now generally available

What’s changing 

Last year, we announced that developers could use the Google Chat API to programmatically create new spaces and add members to those spaces through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. 

Today, those features are generally available for all Google Workspace developers, along with the ability to use Chat API to: 


Who’s impacted


Admins and developers


Why you’d use it 

These features enable developers to build solutions that integrate into workflows and pull contextual data right into the conversation. Using the new API functionalities, you can set up new spaces that focus on a specific topic, team, or project. You can also use the new APIs to encourage collaboration and outreach with users in your organization. For example, LumApps, a leading intranet platform, enables you to start a direct message in Google Chat from its user directory. Those who are trying to find others based on job titles, roles, departments, and other attributes, can quickly start messaging each other.




Additional details

To ensure you are aware that a Chat application has performed an action on behalf of a user, Chat web and mobile apps will display the app name for system messages and Chat messages. 




Getting started

  • Admins: Admins can use the API controls in Admin Console if they want to restrict access to Google Chat data.
  • Developers: Access the new Chat APIs through the Google Chat API. 


Rollout pace


  • This feature is now available.

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers.

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – July 14, 2023

4 New updates 

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time (if not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers. 


Improved media viewing on Android devices in Google Chat 
We’re introducing a new media viewer in Google Chat on Android devices that significantly improves the media browsing experience. Now, media thumbnails open faster in full screen, repeat playback is quicker, and you can swipe between all of the media in the conversation. We've also added a shared media option that allows users to quickly browse through all media shared in a Chat conversation, which is accessible from the conversation as well as from the full-screen view of every media item. | Learn more about sending & sharing files in Google Chat messages.




Extending long running queries within Connected Sheets
Currently, we timeout any queries that take longer than 5 minutes for Connected Sheets. This week, we extended the timeout time from 5 minutes to 10 minutes for BigQuery and Looker. This means Connected Sheets users will be able to analyze data from queries that scan even larger data sets in Sheets.  


Filter by measures and value in a pivot table with Connected Sheets for Looker
Previously, Connected Sheets users could filter by dimensions in pivot tables, but not measures. Now, Looker users are able to filter by measures in a pivot table, which allows for even more targeted analysis on Connected Sheets. Additionally, Looker users will be able to filter by value in a pivot table on Connected Sheets. | Learn more about measure types on Looker and creating & using pivot tables. 




Add emojis in Google Sheets
Emojis are a great way for people to express themselves across Google Workspace. We’re excited to announce that you can now insert emojis into a Google Sheet by:
  • Typing “@” > “Emoji” > select the desired emoji
  • Going to “Insert” > “Emoji” > select the desired emoji

Scale meetings to 1,000 attendees, with 500 attendees being viewers, now available for Google Workspace Education Plus
In June 2023, we announced viewer mode for Google Meet. For certain Google Workspace editions, viewer mode can be used to scale their meetings to 1,000 attendees, with 500 attendees being viewers. We’re now expanding this functionality to Google Workspace Education Plus customers. | Learn more about scaling meetings with viewer mode.


Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.


Add hyperlinks to text in Google Chat
You can now hyperlink text on web and Android when composing or editing a message in Google Chat. This update also includes the ability to copy over hyperlinks from other places like Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about adding hyperlinks to text in Chat.


Paid appointment bookings now available in Google Calendar
To improve upon the current capabilities of appointment scheduling, the Google Calendar feature that allows users to share their availability via a booking page, we're now integrating paid appointment bookings into Google Calendar. | Available to Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Nonprofits and Workspace Individual only. | Learn more about paid appointment bookings in Google Calendar.


Negotiate time directly in Gmail to schedule meetings faster
We’re adding a feature into Gmail that helps you find convenient 1:1 meeting times with others much quicker. This is especially useful when scheduling time with customers, partners or people in your organization whose Google Calendars are not visible to you. | Learn more about scheduling meetings in Gmail.


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.


Rapid Release Domains:

Add hyperlinks to text in Google Chat

What’s changing 

You can now hyperlink text on web and Android when composing or editing a message in Google Chat. This update also includes the ability to copy over hyperlinks from other places like Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides. We hope this highly requested feature helps your messages look cleaner, more compact and easier to read. 




Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • To hyperlink your text, click on the link icon in the rich text formatting toolbar and enter the URL. 
    • Tip: Users on web can use the familiar keyboard shortcut (⌘+K on MacOS and Ctrl+K on ChromeOS & Windows) to hyperlink text. 


Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts

Customize error messages for Google Chat data loss prevention rules, available in open beta

What’s changing 

For new and existing data protection rules for Google Chat, you can now customize the message shown to users when a message is blocked or intercepted. Previously, the message would be a standard warning, shared for all cases. Now, you can provide more context for users, including what they can do to unblock themselves or links to additional resources. 


This feature is available as an open beta, which means admins can use it without enrolling in a specific beta program. Note that this feature is only available on the web, mobile users will continue to see the standard warning. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 



Why it’s important 

Data loss prevention rules are built into the Workspace platform, performing checks in real time to help keep employees and their data safe as they go about their work. Beyond enforcement of these rules, creating user awareness is critical in the overall understanding and adoption of safety best practices. 


Providing a more detailed explanation for why their message has been intercepted or blocked helps users understand how to unblock themselves and more safely accomplish their task. More detailed explanations might include sharing links for more info on safety best practices, how to re-work their messages to be more secure, and more. Additionally, if you’re using data loss prevention rules to warn users against sharing certain information across Chat, you can customize the message to inform your users of the risks before they proceed. 


For more information on data loss prevention for Google Chat, refer to the Help Center, our original announcement, as well as the announcement made at Google Cloud Next 2022.


Getting started 

  • Admins: This feature will be OFF by default and can be customized per rule at the domain, Organizational Unit (OU), or group level. When creating a rule, in Step 4: Actions, under “User Message”, select “customize message”.




Visit the Help Center to learn more about preventing data leaks from Chat messages & attachments.

  • End users: There is no end user action required. Depending on your admin settings, you’ll see more detailed information if you’re trying to send a Google Chat message that meets conditions defined in a data loss prevention rule.


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Education Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade, and Frontline Standard customers. 
  • DLP for Chat is also available to Cloud Identity Premium users who are also licensed for Workspace editions that include Google Chat and Audit and investigation. Visit the Help Center for more information. 

Resources


See read receipts for messages in Google Chat group direct messages

What’s changing

Following the recent updates in Google Chat that add context without breaking the flow of conversations and enable you to declutter your chat conversations, we’re introducing read receipts in group direct messages. 

With this feature, you can now quickly identify if other members of a group have read your latest message within a Chat stream. 
Read receipts on web in Google Chat

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why it’s important 

Many users rely on Chat for immediate communication with their colleagues, and it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with the number of messages sent and received throughout the day. Knowing which of your colleagues have read your message can help set expectations for a response. 

Whether you’re waiting for a colleague to read your message or you want to ensure high visibility of a topic in a group direct message, we hope this highly requested feature helps you communicate more effectively in Chat. 
Read receipts on mobile in Google Chat


Additional details 

Read receipts will only be shown in Chats of 20 people or less, and will not be shown in spaces. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature and it cannot be toggled ON or OFF. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending a message in Google Chat.

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Write messages faster and easier with smart compose in Google Chat

What’s changing

We’ve made it easier for you to write high-quality emails and content faster with smart compose in Gmail and Google Docs. This machine-learning powered feature suggests relevant contextual phrases as you type, saves you time by cutting back on repetitive writing, and also reduces spelling and grammatical errors. 

Today, we’re excited to announce smart compose is now available in Google Chat on web. Coupled with smart reply, an existing assistive tool that suggests short replies to messages, this feature will help you communicate with colleagues quicker to move conversations or projects forward more efficiently. 
smart compose in Google Chat


Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why it matters 

Many rely on Chat for their immediate communication needs while juggling competing priorities. This feature helps you compose messages faster and easier, saving time and effort. 


Additional details 

Smart compose is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. Smart compose in Chat respects the user’s smart features and personalization setting. A default value of this setting can be controlled by admins. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning on or off Gmail, Chat, and Meet smart features and personalization. 
  • End users: 
    • This feature will be ON by default and can be disabled by unchecking “Enable predictive suggestions as you compose a message on web and desktop” under smart compose within Chat settings. 
    • When you see a suggestion that you like, click the “tab” button to use it.

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 5, 2023
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 26, 2023 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Declutter your conversations in Google Chat

What’s changing

Following the recent launch of message quoting, we’re introducing an additional feature that improves the Google Chat experience by helping you find and access your most relevant Chat conversations easier. 

Chat declutter automatically hides direct messages and spaces that have been inactive for the last 7 days. This feature only activates when a section has more than 10 conversations, and does not affect pinned conversations. 

By toggling the “More” button, you will still have the option to view and access a comprehensive list of your Chat conversations. 
Declutter your conversations in Google Chat

Getting started 

  • Admins and end users: No action required. You’ll automatically see these updates over the next several weeks. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts

Existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the new in-line threaded experience by Q4 2023

What’s changing

In 2022, we introduced in-line threading for Google Chat and since March 2023, all newly created spaces in Google Chat are in-line threaded by default. 


As we continue to move toward a single, streamlined flow of conversation in Google Chat, all existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the in-line threaded experience. We anticipate that this upgrade will take place in early Q4 2023. In the meantime, existing legacy threaded spaces will continue to function as is until the upgrade is complete. 

Space organized by conversation topic


In-line threaded spaces




Ahead of the upgrade, we’ll provide more details on the Workspace Updates Blog, and Google Workspace admins, partners, and resellers will receive an email with more information about what to expect before the upgrade. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Google Chat continues to evolve to meet the needs of our users with new and agile features. In order to provide a consistent user experience and reduce complexity, all Google Chat spaces will use the in-line threading by early Q4 2023. 


In-line threading allows users to reply to any message and create a discussion separate from the main conversation. Users can also follow specific threads, whereby they’ll receive notifications for replies and @ mentions in that thread, helping to cut through clutter and stay on top of what matters most. Additionally, users will be able to take advantage of other upcoming helpful features such as quoting messages, message linking, and more. 


Additional details 

All messages sent before the migration will be retained without any data loss, and once upgraded, they will be arranged chronologically, instead of by topic. There will also be a separator titled “Begin New Topic” to indicate every time a new topic was started. 


In some cases, when people have responded on older topics, the new chronological order takes precedence. This means that messages may not appear next to the original topic, but rather according to their timestamp. When this occurs, the new response will quote the last corresponding message that it is replying to, as seen in the second image below. 


You’ll also see a separator between the last message sent before the migration, and a message indicating that the space has been upgraded to a space with in-line replies. Going forward, all new messages will feature in-line threaded functionality — more information on the post-migration experience will be shared via email to admins, partners, and resellers. 

Before the upgrade: conversations grouped by topic 

After the space has been upgraded to in-line threading, messages sent before the upgrade will be arranged chronologically, instead of by topic. 


Getting started 

You’ll see a banner in all the spaces that will be impacted by the migration as FYI before the actual migration.



Availability 

  • This update impacts all Google Workspace customers 

Resources

Expanded actions in the Admin console space management tool

What’s changing 

Recently, we announced a dedicated tool in the Admin console for managing spaces in Google Chat. To further enhance the tool’s functionality, we’re giving admins the ability to: 
  • Delete individual spaces
  • Remove individual members from a space 

Deleting individual spaces

Removing individual members from a space




More information regarding the space management tool can be found in our initial announcement. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: 
    • This feature is available for all super admins by default. In the Admin console, navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Settings for Google Chat > Manage spaces. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing spaces in the Admin console. 
    • Delegated admins need to have the “Manage chat and space conversations” role to access space management — visit the Help Center to learn more about administrator roles.
  • End users: There is no end user action required. 

Rollout pace


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers 

Resources