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.

Find the number of unread thread updates:

• For followed threads: Check the number on the Threads icon .
• In the main conversation stream: The number of unread replies is underneath the initial message.

Note: A special thread icon badge may also appear on bolded conversations when there is only followed thread activity in that conversation.

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 .
5. In the thread panel, to the right of the conversation, enter your message.
6. Click Send .

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

1. At the top right corner of the conversation, click Threads .
   • Note: The icon may also show the number of unread followed threads.
2. In the thread panel, choose:
   • To follow a thread: Click Follow.
   • To unfollow a thread: Click Following.

Tip: The Unread and Following filters apply automatically when the threads panel opens initially; if you update the filters, they will apply to all conversations on your device.

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

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 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 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: In your conversation list, you may see or a blue dot that indicates an unread message in a thread you follow.

Find threads in Home or in a conversation

Find followed threads in Home Find threads in a conversation

Related resources

• Create a space
• Change the space access level