Google Workspace Changes

Add hyperlinks to text in Google Chat

Users can now hyperlink text on web and Android when composing or editing messages in Google Chat. This update also includes the ability to copy over hyperlinks from other Google Workspace applications such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides to make messages cleaner and more compact.

Customizable error messages for Google Chat data loss prevention (DLP) rules are now in open beta.

Admins can now customize the messages displayed to users when a Google Chat message is blocked or intercepted by data loss prevention (DLP) rules. Instead of a standard warning, admins can provide specific context, instructions on how to unblock the message, or links to additional safety resources. This feature is available in open beta for web users across various Google Workspace Enterprise, Education, and Frontline editions.

Introducing read receipts in Google Chat group direct messages.

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 are now available for group direct messages in Google Chat.

Google Chat has introduced read receipts for group direct messages, enabling users to identify which members of a group have read their latest message. This feature is available for group chats of 20 people or fewer and is designed to help users manage communication expectations and ensure visibility of topics. It is available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.

Smart compose is now available in Google Chat on web.

Google Chat on web now features smart compose, a machine-learning powered tool that suggests relevant contextual phrases as users type. This feature is designed to help users communicate more efficiently by reducing repetitive writing and minimizing spelling and grammatical errors. It is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian.

Google Chat now automatically hides inactive conversations to declutter the interface.

Google Chat is introducing a decluttering feature that automatically hides direct messages and spaces that have been inactive for the last 7 days. This feature activates when a section contains more than 10 conversations and does not affect pinned conversations. Users can still access a comprehensive list of all conversations by clicking the 'More' button.

Existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the new in-line threaded experience by the end of Q1 2024.

All existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the in-line threaded experience. This upgrade will start in September 2023, and is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2024. In the meantime, existing legacy threaded spaces will continue to function as is until the upgrade is complete.

Existing Google Chat spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to in-line threading.

Google Chat is upgrading all existing spaces organized by conversation topic to the new in-line threaded experience to provide a consistent user experience and reduce complexity. This migration will begin in September 2023 and is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2024. Messages sent before the upgrade will be retained and arranged chronologically, with separators indicating where new topics began, and new responses will quote the last corresponding message they are replying to.

Admins can now delete individual spaces and remove individual members from a space within the space management tool.

To further enhance the tool’s functionality, we’re giving admins the ability to: Delete individual spaces and Remove individual members from a space

Expanded actions in the Admin console space management tool for Google Chat.

Google has enhanced the space management tool in the Admin console, providing administrators with the ability to delete individual spaces and remove individual members from a space within Google Chat.

For select Google Workspace customers, admins can enable content reporting for their Google Chat users.

For select Google Workspace customers, admins can enable content reporting for their Google Chat users. Once a user has flagged a message, admins can find more information about the incident in the Security Investigation Tool and decide whether further action is needed. This feature is available for Google Chat on the web and mobile devices.

Admins can now enable content reporting for Google Chat users to flag inappropriate messages.

Google Workspace admins for Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus can now enable content reporting for Google Chat users across 1:1 messages, group messages, and spaces. Once a user flags a message for categories such as harassment or sensitive information, admins can use the Security Investigation Tool to review the incident, view chat transcripts, and decide on further actions or the creation of data protection rules.

AppSheet-powered no-code apps in Google Chat

Google Workspace customers with an AppSheet plan can now create Google Chat apps without writing code, enabling the development of custom integrations and workflows within the Chat environment.

Revamped web onboarding experience for Google Chat

Google Chat is updating its web onboarding for new users accessing the service via Gmail or chat.google.com, offering streamlined options to start direct messages, join spaces, or explore Chat apps.

Quick reactions in Google Chat display frequently used emojis upon hovering or long-pressing a message.

Google Chat is introducing quick reactions, which display a user's most frequently used emojis when hovering over a message on the web or long-pressing on Android. This update streamlines the process of reacting to messages while maintaining access to the full emoji picker, threaded replies, and quoting options.