Change the space access level

For work or school accounts, you can restrict access to a space to specific members or make the space discoverable to everyone in your organization.

Learn how private & discoverable spaces work

Learn about private spaces

• Ideal for discussion amongst teams, projects, and groups.
• To join a space, a space member must invite or add you to the space.
• Unless you're a member or invited to the space, you can’t browse for it in Chat.

Learn about discoverable spaces

• Ideal for topics that aren’t limited to specific individuals or teams.
• When a space is discoverable, you can browse, preview, and join the space.
• If you have a link to the space, you can join it with the link.

Google Workspace plans that support discoverable spaces

• Frontline
• Business Starter
• Business Standard
• Business Plus
• Enterprise Essentials
• Enterprise Standard
• Enterprise Plus
• Education Fundamentals
• Education Standard
• Education Plus
• Teaching and Learning Upgrade
• Nonprofits
• G Suite Basic
• G Suite Business
• Essentials (domain verified)

Update the space access level

Important: To change the access level for a space, you need to be a space manager. Learn more about the space manager role.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
2. Select a space.
3. At the top, click the space name Space settings.
4. Under “Access,” select a space access level:
   • Private: Your space is restricted to people and groups you invite or add directly.
   • The name of your organization: Your space is discoverable to everyone in your organization. New members can browse and join the space or join with a link to the space.
5. Click Save.

Tips:

• If a space is open to everyone in your organization, you can’t invite people outside your organization to join.
• You can find additional access options your administrator creates. If you have questions about available access options, contact your administrator.
• If your administrator deletes the target audience you select for your space, " Deleted Audience" displays in the space history and space access is private by default.

Add new members to a discoverable space

You can add new members to a discoverable space by either:

• Copying a link to the space and sharing with others.
• Directly adding or inviting them.

Add members with a discoverable space link

1. In Chat, select the space.
2. At the top, click the space name Copy link to this space.
3. Share the link to anyone you’d like to invite or reference the space with.

Add members to your space directly

1. In Chat, select the space.
2. At the top, click the space name Manage members.
3. Click Add.
4. Enter the name, email, or Google Group, or select suggested contacts to invite.
5. Click Add.

Related resources

• Create a space
• Use threads in a space