Google Meet no longer allows free unlimited group calls
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, Google announced that Meet users wouldn’t be impacted by any limitations when holding group video calls. Originally, the idea was for Google Meet to limit group calls with three or more users to 60 minutes. But given the circumstances, Google ditched the limits, allowing you to hold group video calls for as long as you wanted.
However, it seems that the good times are coming to an end as 9to5Google points out that some Gmail users are beginning to see limits enforced. Moving forward, if there are three or more participants in a group video call, the limit of the call has been placed at 60 minutes.
As the hour limit approaches, a notification will pop up at the 55-minute mark. This is a warning letting the participants know that the call will end at the 60-minute mark.
If you regularly host Google Meet video calls that bump up against that one-hour limit, Google will kindly suggest that you consider signing up for a Workspace Individual subscription. This recently launched is priced at $9.99 and removes any time constraints for video meetings. Here are some of the features provided by a Workspace Individual account:
- Extended and engaging video calls – Group meetings up to 24 hours long, plus advanced features like call recording, noise cancellation, breakout rooms, hand-raising, polls, and dial-in
- Easy appointment scheduling – Let anyone with an email address schedule appointments with you in Google Calendar
- Communicate with style – Professional-looking layouts can be customized with your brand to easily compose and send newsletters and promotions
- Get personalized live help – A team of English-speaking Google experts can assist you with your Workspace questions
It’s also important to note that only the host of the call needs to have the Workspace Individual subscription. Then, you can have all-day meetings if you see fit, without dealing with any interruptions or hiccups.