Use threads in Chat

In addition to the main conversation in the space, you can reply to any message and create a separate thread. With a thread, you can track important discussions and prevent the main conversation from being cluttered.

Google Chat: In-line threading

Learn how threads work in Chat

To create a single, streamlined flow of conversation in Google Chat, use threads for conversation. In a thread, you can either:

• Send a message to the entire group in the main conversation window.
• Quote a previous message.
• Reply to a single message to start a thread.
  • If you use threads to reply to a single message, your message branches into a separate conversation with up to 500 replies.

A conversation with threads allows users to:

• Follow specific threads and receive notifications for replies and mentions in the thread.
• Find out who replies to a thread. Each thread shows avatars of users that reply to the thread.

Reply in a thread

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.

   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.

2. Select a conversation.
3. Point to the message.
4. In the menu, click Reply in thread 👁 Image
   .
5. In the thread panel, to the right of the conversation, enter your message.
6. Click Send 👁 Image
   .

Tips:

• To open the thread panel for a thread with replies, click below the message where it says "X replies."
• To resize the thread panel, click and drag the bar on the left border of the panel.

Follow or unfollow a thread

Your followed threads show up directly on your home screen. Instead of searching for the conversation and thread, click on a thread from home to go straight to the conversation.

1. At the top right corner of the conversation, click Threads 👁 Image
   .
2. In the thread panel, point to a thread:
   • To follow a thread, click Follow.
   • To unfollow a thread, click Following.
3. At the top of the thread panel, to filter the list of available threads, click:
   • Mentions me: Threads where you’re mentioned.
   • Following: Threads that you follow.

A thread is automatically followed if:

• You’re the author of the main message that initiates the thread.
• You reply via thread or were mentioned.
• You set the notification setting of a specific conversation to notify for “All.”

Manage thread notifications

In a thread, you can adjust how and when you’re notified of new messages.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
2. At the top of the conversation, click the conversation 👁 and then
   Notifications.
3. Select an option for notifications:
   • All: Notifications for all new messages and replies to threads.
     • If you select “All,” you automatically follow all new threads for that conversation.
     • To unfollow a thread, click Threads 👁 Image
       👁 and then
       Following.
   • Main conversations: Notifications for all new main conversations, @mentions, and replies to threads you follow.
   • For you: Notifications for @mentions and replies to threads you follow.
   • None: No notifications, just an indicator for @mentions.
4. Optional: If you don’t want the conversation to be in bold and moved to the top of your conversation list, select the box next to "Mute conversation."
5. Click Save.

Tip: If you follow a thread in a conversation, you’re notified with a dot whenever there’s activity in that thread unless the conversation is muted. You can find the number of unread messages next to each thread in a conversation.

Find threads in Home or in a conversation

Related resources

• Create a space
• Change the space access level