This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.


arrow_back Back

April 12, 2023

New community features for Google Chat and an update on Currents

Note: This blog post outlines upcoming changes to Google Currents for Workspace users. For information on the previous deprecation of Google+ for users with personal Google accounts, please automated migration of Currents data to spaces in Google Chat. 


We are nearing the end of this transition. Beginning July 5, 2023, Currents will no longer be available. Workspace administrators can announcements in Google Chat. This gives admin controls to limit permissions for posting in a space, while enabling all members to read and react, helping ensure that important updates stay visible and relevant. Later this year, we plan to simplify membership management by integrating Google Groups with spaces in Chat, enable post-level metrics for announcements, and provide tools for Workspace administrators to manage spaces across their domain. 

Managing space membership with Google Groups






We’ve already rolled out new ways to make conversations more expressive and engaging such as
In-line threaded conversations


invite others to join via link. Last year, we increased space managers, a community lead with data loss prevention (DLP) for Chat. We will continue to enhance community health and data security for Google Chat. 


Our partner community is extending the power of Chat through integrations with essential third-party apps such as Zendesk and Salesforce. Many organizations have built custom workflow apps using low-code and no-code tools, and we anticipate that this number will continue to grow with the GA releases of the Chat API and AppSheet’s Chat app building capabilities later this year.



For teams to thrive in this rapidly changing era of hybrid work, it’s essential to build authentic personal connections and a strong sense of belonging, no matter when or where individuals work. We will continue to make Google Chat the best option for Workspace customers seeking to build a community and culture for hybrid teams, with much more to come later this year. 


Who's impacted

Admins and end users


Why it’s important

The transition from Currents to spaces in Google Chat removes a separate, siloed destination and provides organizations with a modern, enterprise-grade experience that reflects how the world is working today. Google Workspace customers use Google Chat to communicate about projects, share organizational updates, and build community.


Recommended action

Follow Lee on X/Twitter - Father, Husband, Serial builder creating AI, crypto, games & web tools. We are friends :) AI Will Come To Life!

Check out: eBank.nz (Art Generator) | Netwrck.com (AI Tools) | Text-Generator.io (AI API) | BitBank.nz (Crypto AI) | ReadingTime (Kids Reading) | RewordGame | BigMultiplayerChess | WebFiddle | How.nz | Helix AI Assistant