Google Chat Finally Catches Up, But Is It Too Late?

Google Chat is finally getting message forwarding. Yes, you read that right. In 2026, Google is adding a feature that Microsoft Teams and Slack have offered for what feels like eons. While Google plays catch-up, the question remains: is this too little, too late to make Google Chat a serious contender in the workplace communication arena?

Forwarding Arrives: A Feature Years Overdue

For years, Google Chat users have been stuck copying and pasting messages to share them. Now, according to Android Authority, message forwarding is rolling out. This allows users to directly forward messages to other conversations, a basic function that's been a staple of competing platforms. The delay is honestly baffling. It's like releasing a car without turn signals and only adding them in a 'future update'. The impact on productivity and user experience has been significant.

Competitors haven't been standing still. Teams and Slack have continued to innovate, introducing features like advanced search, integrated apps, and sophisticated collaboration tools. Google Chat's belated addition of message forwarding feels like a band-aid on a much larger wound. The Verge has covered similar Google delays, noting a pattern of feature stagnation across several Google products. This slow pace raises concerns about Google's commitment to Google Chat as a viable business communication platform.

Meanwhile, More Distractions from Google Photos

While Google Chat is finally addressing a glaring omission, Google Photos is busy adding sticker lockers. According to Android Authority, users can now save custom stickers in Collections. While stickers are fun, this feels like a classic case of misplaced priorities. It's hard to see how sticker management in Google Photos meaningfully addresses user needs when fundamental communication tools lag so far behind.

Google's scattered approach to product development is becoming increasingly evident. One team is adding cosmetic features to a photo app, while another is scrambling to implement basic functionality in a critical communication tool. This lack of focus undermines Google's credibility and raises questions about its long-term strategy.

Google needs to seriously rethink its approach to Google Chat. Adding long-overdue features is a start, but it's not enough. The company needs to demonstrate a clear commitment to innovation and user experience if it hopes to compete with established players like Microsoft and Slack. Otherwise, Google Chat will remain a footnote in the history of workplace communication tools, remembered more for its shortcomings than its strengths. The uphill battle is only going to get steeper.