Google Meet It has established itself as one of the most widely used video conferencing and collaboration tools today, both by businesses of all sizes and by individual users and educational environments. Its full integration with Google Workspace and its easy access via the web or mobile app have made it a preferred option for holding virtual meetings, distance learning, interviews, and collaborative work sessions around the world.
What is Google Meet and what is it for?
Google Meet Google Meet is a real-time video calling platform that's part of the Google ecosystem. Its main purpose is to enable communication and collaboration between people regardless of their location, through video conferencing, audio calls, chat, screen sharing, and other advanced features. From small one-on-one conversations to corporate meetings with hundreds of participants, Google Meet offers flexibility y to maximise security and your enjoyment. to connect teams, families or students.
In addition to classic video calling, Meet allows you to:
- Share screen: Present documents, slides, specific windows, or your entire desktop.
- Exchange messages via chat in the meeting itself for quick reference or sharing links and files.
- Real-time subtitles to increase accessibility and improve the experience of participants with hearing impairments or in noisy environments.
- record meetings (on supported plans) for later review or sharing.
- Breakout rooms, surveys, host support and other advanced collaborative tools.
Its use is Free and with a Google account, although there are paid plans within Google Workspace that expand functionality, duration, and number of participants.
Advantages of Google Meet over other platforms
Google Meet has positioned itself against competitors such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex thanks to a series of differentiating points:
- Accessibility from any device: It can be used in web browsers without installing software, or downloading the official app for Android or iOS.
- Native integration with Google Workspace: Connects to Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, and Docs to schedule, share, and collaborate in real time.
- Security and privacy: End-to-end encryption, two-step verification, and robust access controls for organizers and attendees.
- Ease of use: Intuitive interface, subtitle translation, and customization of your own view in the meeting window.
- ScalabilityFrom quick meetings to large-scale sessions, with prices tailored to businesses, public organizations, and individuals.
Google Workspace Ecosystem: Why Make the Most of It?
Google workspace (formerly G Suite) is Google's suite of cloud-based productivity applications designed to centralize communication, file management, and business collaboration. Google Meet is one of its key elements, along with:
- gmail: Professional email with custom domain.
- Google Drive: Cloud file storage and sharing.
- Google Calendar: Shared calendar to quickly schedule events.
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides: Collaborative online editing of documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
The integration between these applications allows, for example, organize a video call from Calendar With a single click, automatically share files to Drive during the meeting or receive Gmail notifications linked to Meet events.
Additional benefits of Google Workspace:
- Flexible plans for businesses and individuals.
- Increased storage space and management controls.
- Priority technical support and exclusive features such as recorded attendance, participation reports, mass streaming, and advanced security controls.
How Google Meet works on the web
Accessing Google Meet from your browser is quick and convenient. No installation required: just visit meet.google.com and sign in with your Google account. From there, you can create new video calls, join others using a link or code, or access scheduled meetings in Calendar.
Main elements of the Meet web interface:
- Bottom bar: Here are all the meeting controls (mute/unmute microphone and camera, screen sharing, leave the meeting, subtitles, and participant tiles).
- Participants view: Allows you to view attendees in a responsive tile. The speaker box is automatically highlighted.
- Sidebar: Quick access to the call chat, participant list, attachments, and activities (polls, breakout groups, Q&A, etc.).
- Custom settings: You can change the camera layout, adjust the background, enable automatic subtitles, and choose the video and audio quality.
Google Meet remembers your viewing preferences, camera position, and audio/video settings for each meeting, providing a personalized experience.
Using meeting controls on the web
- Control bars: Buttons are grouped together to allow more space for content. The exit meeting button is separated to prevent accidental disconnection.
- Subtitles and mosaic: Activatable from the bottom bar to improve accessibility and meeting tracking.
- Details and information: You can view the meeting link, attachments, and manage participants from the sidebar.
- Access to activities: From here you can launch surveys, create work groups, and access the chat.
Present screen and share content from the web version
When sharing your desktop in a meeting, Google Meet lets you show your entire screen, a specific window, or a browser tab (great for sharing video with sound). You can also unpin your presentation or mute the audio you're streaming.
To avoid the "tunneling" effect (infinite repetition), it is recommended to share only specific windows or tabs.
Customizing your own and participants' views
- You can move your floating image to different corners of the window, resize it, and fix your view if you prefer.
- The participant tile allows you to view up to 49 users at a time. For large groups, it's recommended to use the "full screen" feature and zoom out in the browser.
- Someone speaking will be highlighted, and muted users will see a corresponding icon in their box.
How the Google Meet app works on mobile devices
The Google Meet mobile app (Android and iOS) can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store or the App Store. It offers almost all the features of the web version, but adapted to the convenience and screen size of a smartphone or tablet.
Main features of the mobile application:
- Create or join meetings With one tap: You can start an instant video call, schedule it for later, or schedule it directly in Google Calendar from the app.
- Full integration with contacts and Calendar: Invite users saved in your address book and receive notifications of your scheduled meetings.
- Fast and intuitive controls: Bottom bar with options for camera, microphone, screen sharing, chat, and participants, plus easy access to meeting details.
- Mobile participation from anywhere: Join meetings wherever you are, even if you're connected to mobile data.
- Efficient resource consumption and battery optimization.
How to Create a Meeting in Google Meet: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a video call on Google Meet is extremely simple. Below are the different methods available on the web, mobile app, and Google Calendar:
From the Google Meet website
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Click on “New Meeting”. Choose between start an instant meeting, create one for later (generates a link that you can share) or schedule it on Google Calendar.
- You can share the meeting link or code with participants, and they'll be able to access it directly from any compatible browser.
From Google Calendar (Web or App)
- Open Google Calendar and click “Create” for a new event.
- On the event form, select “Add Google Meet video call.”
- Add guests (participants), set the date and time, include a description and attachments.
- When you save, a Meet link will be generated, which guests will automatically receive in their email and which will appear in the event reminder.
From the Google Meet app on Android or iOS
- Open the app and tap the “New Meeting” or “Meet Now” button.
- Select whether you want to create for later or start the meeting immediately.
- Share the link generated by any messaging app, email, or SMS.
In all cases, participants can join simply by clicking the link or entering the code directly on the website or app.
Methods to join a Google Meet meeting
There are several ways to join an active video call, designed for both invited users and organizers:
- Direct link received by email, message or WhatsApp.
- From Google Calendar: Open the event and click “Join with Google Meet.”
- Entering the code on or in the mobile app.
- From Gmail: : The option to access your active meetings appears in the sidebar.
The platform displays a previewer so you can check your audio and video before entering, and you can configure the virtual background or effects if you wish.
Google Meet Advanced Features: Discover all the possibilities
In addition to the basic features, Google Meet integrates advanced tools designed to improve collaboration, organization, and participation, especially in business and educational contexts:
- Breakout rooms: Divide the main meeting into parallel rooms for discussions or projects, and easily return to the general room.
- Integrated chat: Real-time written communication during the meeting, useful for sending questions, links, or comments.
- Surveys and questions/answers: The host can launch quick polls or open up question and answer sessions to liven up the session.
- Automatic subtitles: Google Meet transcribes what is said in real time (supports different languages in the web version).
- Control of participants: The organizer can mute the audience, manage access requests, and assign co-hosts.
- Record the session (on supported plans): Save the video to Google Drive for future reference.
- Sharing attachments in Google Drive, Slides and Docs in real time.
- Integration with the Google ecosystem: Direct access to Calendar, Drive, Tasks, Keep, and other tools from the Meet interface itself.
Security, privacy, and administration controls
Security is one of the pillars of Google Meet:
- End-to-end encryption throughout the duration of the video call.
- Two step verification available for organizer and guest accounts.
- Advanced access control: Only authenticated users can access, with options to allow/block external access.
- Moderation and permission management: The host can assign co-hosts, kick users, block unwanted participants, and restrict chat or microphone use.
- Recording, transcription and storage options managed in the cloud with access only for administrators and authorized users.
- Compliance with international regulations such as GDPR and strict corporate privacy policies.
Differences between Google Meet Free and Google Meet for Business (Google Workspace)
The free version of Google Meet, accessible with any Google account, is sufficient for most home users and small businesses, but it has certain limitations compared to the paid plans:
| Functionality | Free version | Google Workspace Business/Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum number of participants | Up to 100 | Up to 500 (depending on plan) |
| Maximum meeting duration | 60 minutes | Up to 24 hours |
| Meeting recording | Not available | Yes, in Drive |
| Attendance and follow-up reports | No | Yes, automatic reporting |
| Breakout rooms and surveys | No | Yes |
| Live broadcast | No | Yes, up to 100.000 spectators in Enterprise |
| Technical support | Not guaranteed | 24/7 (depending on plan) |
| Cloud storage | 15 GB (Google account) | 30GB/2TB/unlimited (depending on plan) |
Indicative prices of Google Workspace plans (may vary by region and promotions):
- Business Starter: From $6 per user/month.
- Business Standard: From $12 per user/month.
- Business Plus: From $18 per user/month.
- Enterprise: Customized pricing tailored to your needs.
- All modes include Google Meet, Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and enhanced security controls.
Advanced settings and customization in Google Meet
Google Meet offers a range of options to personalize your experience, both on the web and in the app, including How Google Meet works in its web version and app.
- Virtual backgrounds or background blur to maintain the privacy of your surroundings.
- Visual effects and automatic framing: The platform may automatically center your image to improve visibility.
- Audio Optimization: Active noise cancellation for clearer calls and reduced interference or echoes.
- Push to talk: : Function that allows you to keep the microphone muted until the space bar is pressed (available on the web and activated from settings).
- Co-host Management: The organizer can assign users with advanced permissions to moderate, admit attendees, create polls, etc.
How to get the most out of Google Meet activities
During the meeting, from the bottom right bar you can launch:
- Work groups (breakout rooms): Divide attendees into up to 25 parallel rooms.
- surveys: Generate polls or collect feedback from attendees in real time. You can make them anonymous or by name (visible only to co-hosts).
- FAQ: Open a channel for attendees to ask and vote on each other's questions.
These tools are ideal for large meetings, virtual classes, workshops, or collaborative brainstorming sessions.
Best practices to get the most out of your Google Meet meetings
- Plan and schedule your meetings from Google Calendar by integrating the Meet invitation: this way, participants will receive reminders and always have the link accessible.
- Share documents and files in Drive before or during the meeting for more effective collaboration.
- Assign co-hosts to delegate moderation tasks, especially in large groups.
- Use real-time subtitles to improve accessibility and understanding.
- Set the background, camera and microphone before accessing and check the audio quality with Meet's pre-checks.
- Record the session If it is important to document agreements, presentations or classes (only if your plan allows it and with the permission of the participants).
- Use the chat for questions without interrupting the conversation or sharing useful links.
Comparison between Google Meet and other video conferencing solutions
| Function | Google Meet | Zoom | Microsoft Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free participants | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Free duration | 60 minutes | 40 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Integration with mail/channels | Gmail, Calendar | Zoom Calendar | Outlook, Office 365 |
| Breakout rooms | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| record meetings | Only on paid plans | Yes (limited in free) | Yes (limited in free) |
| Transcription and subtitles | Yes (multiple languages) | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of use | Very simple | Requires desktop app | Integrated into Microsoft apps |
Of all of them, Google Meet stands out for its native integration with Google, intuitive design and great security.
Troubleshooting and usage recommendations
- Camera and microphone permissionsThe first time you use Meet, the browser or app will ask for permission to access these devices. If you're having trouble, check your privacy settings.
- Connection qualityIf you experience stuttering, temporarily disable your camera or lower the video quality in settings.
- Third Party Extensions: On the web version, use the platform in incognito mode or disable extensions that may interfere with video or audio.
- Link protection: Don't share the link publicly if it's a private meeting, and use limited access tools if necessary.
Google Meet use cases
- Companies: Team meetings, interviews, webinars, project presentations, and remote work.
- Academic Background: Virtual classes, tutorials, presentations, group activities and oral evaluations.
- Family and friends: Personal calls, remote celebrations, book clubs, or online collaborative activities.
- Independent professionals: Consulting, technical support, customer demonstrations, workshops, and online courses.
Google Meet offers a reliable, secure, and scalable solution for any type of digital communication, with ongoing update cycles and improvements in accessibility and artificial intelligence.
Proper planning and the integration of Meet with the rest of Google Workspace tools allow for efficient, secure, and convenient remote work and collaboration. From small, impromptu meetings to large corporate virtual events, Meet offers everything from essential features to professional tools for moderation, interaction, and productivity.
