Send a chat message in Gmail

You can message someone through:

You can send a direct message to someone outside your organization, but you can't include external people in an internal group message. A badge by a person’s name shows they're outside your organization.

To message back, the recipient must first accept your request.
Important: Your child can use Chat in the Gmail app, or in the web version of Gmail, even if the Chat app is blocked. Learn how to manage your child's Google Account.
Important: To send someone a direct message, they must have a personal, work, or school account. If they don't, learn how to create a Google account.
  1. Go to Gmail.com. 
  2. In the Chat section, click New Chat .
    •  To resize this section, at the top of "Chat," drag up or down.
  3. Enter a name, email address, or select someone suggested from your organization.
    To message someone outside your organization, enter their full email address. 
  4. To message two or more people, click Group Message.
  5. Create your message. It can include any text or link.
  6. Click Send.

Add or remove people in a group message

To add or remove someone in a chat, you must start a new group message with a modified roster.  

  1. Go to Gmail.com. 
  2. In the Chat section, select a message.
  3. At the top right of the message, click More .
  4. Start a new chat. 
  5. Add or remove people from the message.
  6. Click Create.
  7. Create your message.
  8. Click Send.
Tip: Once you create a group chat, you can convert it into a space. Learn more about how to create and manage spaces.