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# Google Chat: Two Simple Tricks Google Doesn't Highlight
- URL: https://www.jeffsu.org/google-chat-two-simple-tricks-google-doesnt-highlight/
- Published: 2025-03-13T13:00:26.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-05T12:46:24.000Z
- Description: #197
- Author: Jeff
- Tags: #newsletter, Google Chat

*(you can easily* [*filter previous issues*](https://www.jeffsu.org/filter-previous-editions-by-app/) *by application!)*

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**Hey friends!** Quick heads up before diving in: I'm developing a comprehensive course on my Notion Command Center system. If you're interested, [join the waitlist](https://academy.jeffsu.org/notion-command-center-waitlist?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=197).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2025/03/image-1.png)

For newcomers wondering about my dual workflow situation - [The Workspace Academy](https://academy.jeffsu.org/workspace-academy?ref=jeffsu.org) covers what I use professionally (Google Workspace tools due to company policy), while Notion handles everything else from my business to personal life.

Onto today’s tips around Google Chat:

## Tip 1: Create Polls Directly in Google Chat

This surprisingly powerful function remains criminally underused. Simply type "/poll" in any group chat to activate the Poll app and start creating questions with multiple answer options.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2025/03/image-2.png)

### Real-world Examples

**Business contexts:**

- "When should we schedule our next team sync?"
- "Which project should we prioritize this sprint?"
- "Where should we order lunch from for Friday's meeting?"
- "What's your availability for the client presentation next week?"

**Non-work scenarios:**

- "Movie night pick - what are we watching?"
- "Who's bringing what to the potluck?"
- "Best weekend for our group hike?"
- "Gift preferences for Sarah's goodbye party?"

The beauty of in-chat polling is eliminating those endless reply chains where everyone suggests different times/preferences, and you're left manually tallying votes across 47 messages. One poll, clear results, done.

## Tip 2: Rename Group Chats (Finally!)

This sounds trivial until you've experienced the mild insanity (somewhat of an understatement) of Google's previous limitations. For the longest time, **you could only rename Spaces in Google Chat, but not Direct Message group chats.**

Seriously Google, wtf.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2025/03/image-3.png)

The good news? You can now edit group chat names by clicking the dropdown menu and selecting "Name this chat." Life-changing? No. Sanity-preserving when juggling multiple similar group conversations? Absolutely.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2025/03/image-4.png)

At this point, the only significant difference between a Direct Message group chat and Spaces is that Spaces allow you to assign tasks to others.

**Totally not confusing, Google.** A+ for consistency.

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