Are you looking for a video conferencing tool to communicate with your colleagues, friends, or family? You may have heard of Google Meet Google 's online service that allows you to create or join remote meetings .

But is Google Meet really the best choice ? What are its advantages and disadvantages ? How does it compare to its rivals, such as Zoom , Skype , Teams , etc.?

In this article, we will present the advantages and limitations of Google Meet , as well as tips to optimize its use.

What are the advantages of Google Meet?

Google Meet offers several advantages that make it a powerful and easy-to-use video conferencing tool. Here are some of its strengths:

Ease of use

Google Meet is accessible from a web browser , without needing to download or install any software. Simply sign in with your Google account, create or join a meeting, and share the link with participants. Google Meet is also available on Android and iOS smartphones , with a dedicated app that offers the same features as the web version.

Google Meet features

Google Meet offers many features that enrich the video conferencing experience, such as filters, effects, subtitles, screen sharing, etc.

For example : it is possible to change your background, blur your face, choose a color theme, translate the words of interlocutors in real time, share your desktop or a specific window, etc.

Google Meet security

Google Meet guarantees a high level of security for online meetings, using data encryption , protection against denial-of-service attacks, user authentication, access control, and more. Google Meet also adheres to privacy and compliance standards, such as GDPR , HIPAA , FERPA , and others.

Integration with other Google services

Google Meet integrates seamlessly with other applications in the Google Workspace suite , such as Gmail , Drive , Docs , Calendar , etc. This allows you to schedule a meeting from your calendar, send an invitation by email , attach documents from your storage space, collaborate in real time on shared files, and more.

What are the limitations of Google Meet?

Google Meet is not without its flaws, and also has drawbacks that can negatively impact the quality or practicality of video conferencing. Here are some of its limitations:

The limited duration of the meetings

Google Meet meetings to a maximum of for users of the free version , which may be insufficient for long or complex meetings. To benefit from unlimited meeting time , a paid subscription , costing between €5.20 and €15.60 per user per month, depending on the service level.

The number of participants

Google Meet limits the number of participants to 100 for the free version , 150 for the Business Standard version , and 250 for the Business Plus version . These numbers may be lower than those of some competitors, such as Zoom , which allows up to 1,000 participants with the Enterprise version .

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The sound and image quality

Google Meet's performance depends on the quality of your internet connection and the equipment used for video conferencing. If your bandwidth is low, the audio or video may be choppy, out of sync, or cut out. If your microphone or camera is of poor quality, the audio or video may be distorted, noisy, or blurry. It's therefore important to check these factors before starting or joining a meeting.

How to optimize the use of Google Meet?

Google Meet can be optimized to offer a better user experience by following a few tips and using a few tricks. Here are some examples:

• Choosing good lighting : To get a clear and sharp image, avoid backlighting, shadows, or reflections. Opt for a natural or artificial light source that illuminates the face evenly, without being too bright or too dim.

• Choosing a good microphone : To get clear and intelligible sound, you need to avoid background noise, echoes, or interference. It's best to choose an integrated or external microphone that captures the voice clearly, without being too close to or too far from the mouth.
• Choosing a good connection : For a smooth and stable meeting, avoid slow, unstable, or congested connections. Opt for a wired or wireless connection that offers sufficient bandwidth without being shared with other devices or applications.
• Use keyboard shortcuts : To save time and increase efficiency, you can use keyboard shortcuts to perform actions quickly without using the mouse or menus. For example, you can mute or unmute your microphone with Ctrl + D , turn your camera on or off with Ctrl + E , leave the meeting with Ctrl + B , and so on.
• Using extensions : To add features or options to Google Meet, it is possible to use extensions that attach to the web browser.
• Using third-party applications : To enrich or diversify meetings with Google Meet , you can use third-party applications that connect to the video conferencing service. For example, you can use Kahoot , an application that allows you to create and play interactive quizzes, to liven up or evaluate meetings.

FAQ

How do I create a meeting on Google Meet?

To create a meeting on Google Meet , you need to sign in with your Google account, then click the “ New meeting Google Meet homepage . You can then choose between three options:

• Create a meeting code , which allows you to generate a unique and customizable link to share with participants.
• Start an instant meeting , which allows you to start a meeting immediately and share the link with participants afterwards.
• Schedule in Google Calendar , which allows you to create an event in your Google calendar and add the meeting link.

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How do I join a meeting on Google Meet?

To join a meeting on Google Meet , you need to sign in with your Google account, then click the “ Join a meeting ” button on the Google Meet homepage. Next, enter the meeting code or link provided by the organizer, and click “ Join ”.

It is also possible to join a meeting from an email, a Google Calendar event, or a Google Chat invitation.

How do I invite participants to a meeting on Google Meet?

To invite participants to a meeting on Google Meet , you need to copy the meeting link and share with the desired people, by email , message , or any other means.

It is also possible to add participants directly from the meeting , by clicking on the “ Add people ” button at the bottom right of the screen, and entering their email address or phone number.

How do I enable subtitles on Google Meet?

To activate subtitles on Google Meet, click the " Subtitles " button at the bottom of the screen, which displays a " CC " symbol. You can then choose the subtitle language from those available, such as French, English, Spanish, etc. The subtitles will then appear at the bottom of the screen, transcribing the speakers' words in real time.

How do I share my screen on Google Meet?

To share your screen on Google Meet , click the “ Present now ” button in the bottom right corner of the screen. You can then choose between three options:

• Your screen , which allows you to share everything displayed on your screen, including windows, tabs, or applications.
• A window , which allows you to share a specific window, such as a document, a presentation, or a software program.
• A Chrome tab , which allows you to share an open tab in the Chrome browser, such as a website, a video, or a game.

How do I record a meeting on Google Meet?

To record a meeting on Google Meet , click the " More " button in the bottom right corner of the screen, then click " Record."

• Click on the “ More ” button in the bottom right corner of the screen, then on “ Save meeting ”.
• Accept the terms of use , and click “ Accept ”.
• Leave the red dot in the top left corner of the screen to indicate that recording is in progress .
• More button again , then click “ Stop recording ” when you are finished.
• Check your email for the link to the recording, which is also saved in Google Drive.