Respond to a Google Chat message request

In Google Chat, you don't have to chat with people you don't know. The first time that someone sends you a direct message, you get a request. If you use Google Chat with a Google Workspace account, you may get requests from people within your organisation. You can accept requests or ignore them.

What happens when you accept or ignore a message

If you accept a message request

• The requester can view your basic profile details (name, avatar, email address) and can tell if you're online.
• You can view all attachments that the person sends and reply to their messages.
• The requestor can add you to chat spaces.

If you ignore a message request

• The message goes away. To find the request again, search for the person in Google Chat. You may need to use their  email address when you search.
• The requestor can't tell that you ignored them.
• You can block the requestor from sending you more requests. Learn how to block a person.

Spam message requests

Google Chat filters message requests that appear to be spam into a separate section. You can accept or block messages that are marked as spam.

Accept or ignore a chat message request in Chat or Gmail

Related resources

• Block and report someone