Google Meet is the video conferencing service developed by Google and delivered as part of the Google Workspace productivity suite. Launched in 2017 as an enterprise-focused evolution of Google Hangouts, Meet has grown into one of the most widely used platforms for business meetings, virtual classrooms, and remote collaboration. It offers browser-based access with no downloads required, plus dedicated mobile apps, making it easy for participants to join meetings from anywhere.
The product played a central role in Google’s response to the rapid rise of remote work and learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Google opened Meet to all users and significantly expanded capacity and features. Over time, Meet has added capabilities like live captions, breakout rooms, polls, Q&A, noise suppression, virtual backgrounds, and large meeting support, while remaining focused on a clean, simple interface that’s easy for non-technical users to adopt quickly.
Meet is deeply integrated with the broader Google Workspace ecosystem, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chat. This allows users to schedule meetings directly from Calendar, start or join calls from email threads or documents, and automatically store recordings and transcripts in Drive. Recent updates have added Gemini AI features for studio-quality audio/video, real-time translations, and automated note-taking, positioning Meet as an AI-enhanced collaboration hub rather than just a basic video chat tool.
From startups and educational institutions to global enterprises, organizations adopt Google Meet for its combination of reliability, security, and low-friction user experience. Backed by Google’s global infrastructure and compliance programs, Meet offers encrypted video and audio, enterprise-grade admin controls, and a flexible licensing model via Google Workspace plans, making it a strong contender against competitors like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex in the video and webinar platform market.
