What’s changing 
Earlier this year, we introduced viewer mode for meeting attendees, which allowed a subset of attendees who could observe a meeting but not share their audio or video to the meeting. Beginning today, we’re introducing additional features for viewers and hosts: 
  • First, viewers can now send emoji reactions during a meeting, which is a lightweight, non-disruptive way to engage and participate in meetings without interrupting the speaker. 
Viewers can send reactions
  • Next, meeting hosts and co-hosts will be able to promote a viewer to a meeting contributor while the hosts are using picture-in-picture mode. This gives hosts greater flexibility and saves time when needing to change participant rights without having to leave PiP mode. 

Promoting & demoting viewers while in PiP mode
Promoting & demoting viewers while in PiP mode


Getting started 
  • Admins: Reactions will be ON by default and can be turned off in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Hosts: When you’re using picture-in-picture mode, you can transition viewers to contributors from the people panel by selecting the three-dot overflow menu and then selecting “Make a contributor”. 
    • Viewers: If enabled by your admin or meeting host, visit the Help Center to learn more about assigning View only roles in Google Meet. 
Rollout pace 
Availability 
  • Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching & Learning upgrade, and Education Plus customers 
Resources