Google Chat is enhancing external collaboration by allowing group conversations with outside organizations. Previously, only one-on-one chats or spaces with external access were possible. This update enables the creation of group direct messages that include multiple external users, simplifying collaboration. No special setup is needed; external users join by accepting an email invitation. Conversations involving external members will have a clear badge indicating their presence. Administrators must enable the "External spaces & group direct messages" setting for this feature to be available. Users can add external participants when creating new group direct messages, but not to existing internal-only ones. External users need to explicitly accept invitations to join these group chats. The feature is rolling out now for rapid release domains and will be available to scheduled release domains starting July 24, 2026. This functionality is accessible to all Google Workspace and Workspace Individual subscribers.