Google Meet, which was formerly available for enterprise and education customers, can now be used by anyone with a google account to hold video meetings.
So if you have a google account, and reside in Nigeria, you can use Google Meet, as an alternative to Zoom Video Conferencing.
The key difference between Zoom and Google Meet is that while Zoom does not require a Zoom account to join meetings, Google Meet requires the user to have a google account and be logged in before meetings can be joined.
The upside to Google’s account verification and login is against Zoombombing, an unwanted intrusion into video meetings by obnoxious individuals. A particular feature dominant in Zoom Video Conferencing.
By Zoombombing, internet fraudsters are able to hijack Zoom sessions, and thus, disrupting the meeting by saying or posting impertinent content which are usually obscene in nature.
The requirement by Google means anyone without a google account would need to create one before joining meetings. When meeting attendees aren’t aware, they, in the act of joining the meeting, will be prompted to create a google account.
In the event that you want to use Google Meet to host Meetings online, here are the guidelines that can assist you:
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For Individuals
Google Meet can be used to schedule, join or start a secure video meeting with anyone. Meet is available for free on the web via meet.google.com and also via mobile apps for iOS or Android. Using Google Calendar, you will easily be able to start or join a meeting from there as well.
Your google account is essentially connected to your google email (@gmail.com email). Therefore, you can sign in at meet.google.com with your account to get started. However, if you don’t have a google account, you will need to create one (in few minutes). This would be to secure your personal email address of choice.
For Groups and Teams
Groups in an organisation can use Google Meet to host video meetings that assist coworkers in connecting with each other. For organisations, G Suite Essentials is necessary, as it has features for teams that need access to Meet’s more advanced features which include: dial-in phone numbers, larger meetings, and meeting recording.
Google Drive is also integrated to G Suite Essentials, allowing easy and secure access to content, docs, sheets, and more.
Before Using Google Meet in your organisation, you will need to sign up for G Suite Essentials, which is available for free until Sept. 30.
You can sign up for G suite essentials here
For Businesses and Organisations
Businesses and Organisations can use Google Meet to stay connected. If your comapany is already using G Suite, then you have access to Meet. But before using Meet, administrators need to enable it by following the instructions described in Google’s Help Centre.
Enterprises can also reach out to the sales team for more information.
For Schools and Higher Institutions
Google Meet is available for schools and higher institutions to hold secure virtual classes, PTA meetings, parent-teacher conferences, tutoring, school club meetings and more. Meet has been available in G Suite for Education, which according to google serves more than 120 million students and teachers globally.
Provided your school is subscribed to G Suite for Education, the administrator can enable Google Meet at no additional cost. You can also sign up for Teach from Home to access resources for distance learning.
If your school doesn’t use G Suite for Education, you can sign up via the link below.
Sign up for G Suite for Education