Google is making more moves into the video chatting space during

the coronavirus pandemic, now providing its premium video conferencing

service Google Meet free for consumers. Previously available only to organizations
using G Suite, Meet is now open to everyone, in a move that puts Google in
competition with rival video chat service Zoom. 

Watch this: 3 video calling alternatives to Zoom

 3:34

While Google Hangouts and Duo were previously available for casual video chatting,

Meet allows up to 100 participants on a call at once, and includes features such as
scheduling, screen sharing and real-time captioning. 

How to use Google Meet, free

To sign up for the free version of Google Meet, go to the Google Meet page. Enter
your name, email, country and primary use for Google Meet (personal, business,
education or government). Agree to Google's terms of service, and hit Submit. 

Once you sign up, here's how to use the free version of Google Meet: 

1. Go to meet.google.com (or, open the app on iOS or Android, or start a meeting

from Google Calendar). 

2. Click Start new meeting, or enter your meeting code. 

3. Choose the Google account you want to use.

4. Click Join meeting. You'll have the ability to add others to your meeting, too. 

And that's it! Happy video chatting.

For more help on your video chats, check out how to make video meetings less
weird, tips for how to use Zoom like a pro, how to look and sound great online with
your webcam and how to turn your phone into a webcam

Google is making more moves into the video chatting space during
the coronavirus pandemic, now providing its premium video conferencing
service Google Meet free for consumers. Previously available only to organizations
using G Suite, Meet is now open to everyone, in a move that puts Google in
competition with rival video chat service Zoom. 

Watch this: 3 video calling alternatives to Zoom

 3:34

While Google Hangouts and Duo were previously available for casual video chatting,

Meet allows up to 100 participants on a call at once, and includes features such as
scheduling, screen sharing and real-time captioning. 

Read more: Google Meet vs. Hangouts: What's the difference?

The free version of Google Meet requires you to create a free Google account. Video
calls will have a 60-minute cap, but Google said it won't enforce that cap until after
Sept. 30. 

Google also laid out a number of default privacy protections in place with Meet,
including host controls (like the ability to admit or deny entry to a meeting, and mute
or remove participants), complex meeting codes and encryption in transit. This
seems to be taking aim at Zoom, which saw a massive surge in users after
the coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines started -- but has recently faced a
number of security issues, including uninvited guests "Zoombombing" meetings. 

Google is far from the only tech company looking to scoop up some of Zoom's
business -- Facebook, Skype and Microsoft have all recently released new free
group video chat features and services. 

Meet started rolling out its free version earlier this month. You'll be able to use the
video chat service on the web at meet.google.com and on mobile
apps for iOS or Android. 

Read more: 10 free Zoom alternative apps for video chats

How to use Google Meet, free

To sign up for the free version of Google Meet, go to the Google Meet page. Enter
your name, email, country and primary use for Google Meet (personal, business,
education or government). Agree to Google's terms of service, and hit Submit. 

Once you sign up, here's how to use the free version of Google Meet: 

1. Go to meet.google.com (or, open the app on iOS or Android, or start a meeting

from Google Calendar). 
2. Click Start new meeting, or enter your meeting code. 

3. Choose the Google account you want to use.

4. Click Join meeting. You'll have the ability to add others to your meeting, too. 

And that's it! Happy video chatting.

For more help on your video chats, check out how to make video meetings less
weird, tips for how to use Zoom like a pro, how to look and sound great online with
your webcam and how to turn your phone into a webcam