Create and manage groups using APIs

You can create groups and manage most settings and features using the Google Admin console or a related API. Use of the APIs requires programming knowledge.

Create groups

You have 2 API options for creating groups. Groups you create using an API receive specific default settings.

Directory API

Use the Google Workspace Admin SDK’s Directory API to create, update, or delete a group and its membership. Complete tasks such as changing the group name, assigning a group email alias, and adding or removing members. Access the Directory API.

Cloud Identity API

Use the Google Cloud Identity API to create, update, or delete a group. Access the Cloud Identity API.

Default settings for API groups

Groups you create using an API receive the following default settings.

These groups always start with these defaults, even if you’ve set different values for your organization’s groups in the Groups for Business sharing settings. You can, however, edit these values after group creation.

Name	Directory API default	Cloud Identity API default
Show group in the directory	Yes	Yes
Who can see group	Anyone in the organization	Anyone in the organization
Who can view members	Anyone in the organization	All group owners, managers, and members
Who can join group	Anyone in the organization can ask	Invited users only
Allow external members	No	No
Who can post	Anyone on the web	Anyone in the organization
Allow web posting	Allowed	Allowed
Who can add, invite, or approve members	Group owners and managers only	Group owners and managers only
Who can contact owners	Anyone on the web	Anyone in the organization
Message moderation	Disabled	Disabled
Conversation history	Disabled	Disabled

Edit groups

You can edit any group using an API or one of several other methods.

Groups Settings API

Use the Admin SDK’s Groups Settings API to manage groups, such as by setting permissions and enabling message moderation. Access the Groups Settings API.

Other options

You can also edit groups created using an API in the:

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