Users can send text, photos, animated gifs, videos, and files to individuals and groups.

It also supports Spaces, a threaded group conversation designed for collaboration.

What Is Google Chat Used For?

A mock-up of the Google Chat web messaging platform on a laptop and smartphone.

Google

Google Chat is used tosend messages over the web.

It requires an Internet connection to use, asSMS/MMS text messagingis not supported.

It supports two forms of messages: direct messages and Spaces.

A direct message sends text or media directly to one or more recipients on Google Chat.

The recipients can view the message and send a reply.

This is similar to dozens of other messaging services like Apple’siMessage,Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.

Google Chat also supports Spaces, which function more like a chat room.

Spaces provide dedicated tabs for Files and Tasks shared by participants.

They also support threaded conversations, meaning participants can respond to specific messages instead of messaging all participants.

Spaces is similar to enterprise messaging services likeSlackand Microsoft Teams.

How Is Google Chat Different From Google Hangouts?

Google Hangouts is a discontinued messaging service.

Released in 2013, Hangouts was Google’s primary web messaging service for several years.

It was available as an app for Android and iPhone.

PC and macOS users could access it through a web app or in Gmail.

Hangouts supported a wide range of features.

Google Chat is more limited, as it focuses solely on web messaging.

How Is Google Chat Different From Google Meet?

Google Chat supports web messaging but lacks support for video conferencing.

This feature is instead found in Google Meet, a real-time video communication service launched in 2017.

Google Meet is similar to video communication services such as Zoom and Skype.

It supports video conferences with multiple participants.

It can also be used to host live presentations in which most participants are muted.

How Is Google Chat Different From Gmail?

Google Chat is a web messaging service, while Gmail is an email service.

Both send messages over the Internet, but the way they do so differs.

Gmail users can export their entire email inbox and open it in another email app or service if desired.

Google Chat is now the best way to chat with other Google users over the web.

Unlike the other statuses, it’s automatic.

You canchat in Google Docsthat have at least two users who can view or edit them.