Google Chat

Google Chat is a business messaging app built into Google Workspace. It grew out of the old Hangouts Chat product and now serves as Google's main team chat tool.

Features

• Workspace File Sharing: Users can share Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides links directly in a chat thread. Anyone in the conversation gets instant file access without leaving the app.
• Gemini AI Summaries: Business Standard and higher plans include a "catch up" feature. It uses Gemini to summarize unread messages with one click.
• Calendar and Meet Integration: Scheduling a meeting in Google Calendar auto-populates the event in Chat. Users can also launch Google Meet calls straight from a conversation.
• Spaces and Threads: Teams organize conversations into spaces, similar to channels. Each space supports threaded replies to keep topics separate.
• Zapier and API Connections: A Zapier app sends automated notifications to Chat based on outside triggers. Developers can also build custom bots using the Google Chat API.

Use Cases

• For Google Workspace Teams: Daily communication stays connected to Docs, Sheets, and Drive. Files and messages live in one ecosystem without extra setup.
• For Small Businesses: The simple interface suits teams that want basic chat without a steep learning curve. It avoids the complexity of larger messaging platforms.
• For Remote Workers: Calendar and Meet integration makes scheduling calls fast. Conversations and meetings stay linked in one timeline.
• For IT Admins: Paid Workspace plans remove message history limits. Admins also get centralized control over space membership and data retention.

TL;DR: Google Chat is a Workspace-native messaging tool that works best for teams already using Gmail, Docs, and Calendar. It offers fewer third-party integrations and automation options than rivals like Slack, but wins on simplicity and built-in Google connectivity.