10 tips to get the most out of Google Chat

If you use it anyway, use it thoroughly!

With the abolition of Google Hangouts, the transition to the successor tool Google Chat is progressing. I've put together 10 tips for those just getting started. I haven't migrated to Google Chat yet! For those who say, you can enable Google Chat from the settings on the Gmail screen.

1: Setting your status

Many chat services allow you to display your status as "at work" or "away", but of course you can also use Google Chat. You can choose how long you want to stay in that status when you set the status, so you don't need to switch after that. You can change or add the status from the status display (green circle when ON) at the top of the Android / web application / Gmail screen. Offline settings are also possible. It is currently not possible to set the status from the iOS app.

2: Mute chat notifications

"Do Not Disturb" mode in English version. In other words, chat notifications are muted in Do Not Disturb mode. The mute mode can also be set for up to 24 hours.

3: Email Reminders

You can set email reminders so that you never miss a chat. It can be set by "Email Notification" from "Chat Notification Settings" in the status drop-down menu. Currently, there are only two options: receive email notifications for "name-linked messages and direct messages only" when there are unread messages, or turn it off. (It would be nice if in a future update it would be possible to set only specific people/groups)

4: Group Chat

Press the "+" icon on the right of the chat and select "Start Group Conversation" to add members. Alternatively, if you are already chatting with two people, you can add members by starting a new chat from the chat menu icon (three dots).

5: Chat Room

From the "+" on the right of the chat room "Create chat room". Chat rooms and group chats are similar in that they are used by multiple people, but rooms with more functions are designed with business use in mind. In the room, there are many functions such as sharing files, managing tasks, and displaying message threads. For a detailed comparison between rooms and groups, the official page is easy to understand.

6: Utilizing desktop apps

There is not much difference between using the Gmail screen and using the browser, but there is also a desktop version of the Google Chat app. Convenient for those who want to reduce the number of browser tabs and manage Google Chat on the taskbar or dock. When Google Chat opens in Chrome, it doesn't install the desktop app? A pop-up message will appear, so you can install from there.

7: Smart Reply

Some people may be using Gmail's Smart Reply feature, but it's the Google Chat version of that. Turn on "Smart Reply" from the settings. Reply message candidates are displayed according to the other party's message.

8: Pinning a chat

By pinning a chat with a specific person, you can pin it to the top. Pin it with "Pinned" from the three dots next to the chat partner's name.

9: Turn off history/message expiration

There is an option to "Turn off history" in the dropdown menu next to the chat partner/group. While history is on, it will remain in your history, but messages sent while it's off will be deleted after 24 hours. Note that turning it off after sending is useless.

10: Emoji Reactions

You can react to each message with a single emoji. In the web version, hover over the message, and in the mobile version, tap or hold down the message to display the emoji icon, so you can react with your favorite emoji from there. As Slack users know, this really works.

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