Google Hangouts adds guest access allowing users without Google accounts to join chats

Google announced today that it’s adding “guest access” to Hangouts, allowing users without Google accounts to join a Hangouts video call.

Google notes that the feature is something that has been highly requested by businesses, giving them an option to easily invite clients and others that may not already be hooked into Google’s ecosystem.

Previously inviting users without Google accounts to a video call would prompt them to create one before joining. With today’s changes, non-Google account holders can join a chat straight from a Google Calendar invite by only entering their name:

Say you’re a business about to talk through new product plans with your supplier, and you decide it’d be great to also get the thoughts of a key customer.  No problem. Invite your external guests with Google Calendar… They click a link in the event description and fill in their name

With the update, Google notes joining video calls are now one click away and won’t require filling out forms or creating accounts. The feature is available now for users joining Hangouts through a web browser.