Google Chat

If there are other Gmail users whom you frequently email, you'll be able to chat and see each other online without having to send an invitation.

Gmail automatically determines which contacts you'll be able to talk to without having to invite each other -- if you don't want Gmail to automatically enable chat privileges with your contacts, follow these steps:

1. Log in to Gmail.
2. Click the gear icon in the upper right, then select Settings.
3. Open the Chat tab, and select Only allow people that I've explicitly approved to chat with me and see when I'm online.
4. Click Save Changes.

Want to manage who can and can't chat with you? Learn how to block a contact from chatting with you.