# Send a Google Chat message & manage notifications

> Send a direct message to a colleague in Google Chat or Gmail, start a group chat, and choose which Chat notifications you get.
>
> Source: https://docs.officeniaga.com/chat-direct-message/

Google Chat is for quick messages with colleagues. Use it in [chat.google.com](https://chat.google.com), in Gmail, or in the Google Chat app on your phone.

## Send a direct message

A direct message (DM) is a private chat with one person or a small group.

1. Open [Google Chat](https://chat.google.com). In Gmail, click **Chat** in the left menu.
2. Click **New chat**.
3. In **Add 1 or more people**, type a colleague's name or email address and pick them from the list.
4. Click **Start chat**.
5. Type your message and click **Send message** (the arrow), or press **Enter**.

To start a group DM, add more names in step 3. For a long-running team conversation, a [space](/chat-spaces/) works better.

## Things you can add to a message

The icons next to the message box let you add more than text.

- **Formatting options**: bold, italic, lists and more.
- **Add emoji** and **Add GIF or Sticker**.
- **Upload file**: send a file or photo from your computer.
- **Google Workspace tools**: attach a Drive file or schedule a meeting in Calendar.
- **Schedule send**: send the message later.

To start a video call from the chat, click **Send a Meet link** at the top.

## Accept a message request

The first time someone messages you, you see a request instead of a chat.

1. Click **New chat** > **Message requests**.
2. Click the person's name to read their message.
3. Click **Accept** to reply, or **Ignore** to dismiss it. Tick **Also block** to stop more requests from them.

## Turn notifications on or off

Chat can show a notification on your computer when a message arrives, as long as your browser allows it.

1. In Google Chat, click **Settings** (the gear) at the top right.
2. Under **Notifications**, tick or untick **Allow chat notifications**.
3. Optionally, change **Reaction notifications**, **Notification sounds** and **Email notifications** for unread messages.

In Gmail, click **Settings** > **See all settings** > **Chat and Meet**, then **Manage chat settings**.

## Mute one conversation

You can quieten a busy chat without turning off all notifications.

1. In the list on the left, point to the conversation and click the three dots (**Options**).
2. Click **Notifications**.
3. Choose which messages notify you, or tick **Mute conversation**, then click **Save**.

To pause everything for a while, click your status at the top (for example **Active**) and choose **Do not disturb**. Under **Settings**, **Do not disturb schedules** turns it on automatically outside working hours.

## Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at [+60 16-916 3324](https://wa.me/60169163324).

## Common issues

### I do not get Chat notifications on my computer. What do I check?

In Chat, click Settings and make sure Allow chat notifications is ticked. If Chat says the browser is blocking notifications, allow notifications for chat.google.com or mail.google.com in your browser settings. Also check that your status is not Do not disturb.

### My message says the person has to accept it first. Why?

The first time you message someone, they get a message request. Once they accept it, you can chat normally. They can also ignore the request without you being told.

### Can my company see my Chat messages?

Chat messages belong to your company account, and your Google Workspace admin decides whether Chat history is kept. You see History on or History is on in a conversation when messages are being saved. Treat Chat like work email.