Gmail Adds Ability to Suggest Multiple Meeting Time Options Via Email

Google is making it a little easier to schedule meetings using Google Calendar.

The way it works now, you might email a contact a potential meeting time only to have them respond that they’re not available, and some back and forth ensues.

Now, instead of proposing one specific time, you can offer a contact all the times you’re potentially available(Opens in a new window) to meet at once via email and allow them to select the time that works best. Once they select a time, you’ll both get a calendar invite for the meeting. If you’ve ever used Calendly, it’s a very similar experience.

The feature started rolling out to users on July 11 but will be released gradually, so it might be as long as two weeks before you see it as an option in your inbox. Ultimately it will be available to all Google Workplace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.

Once you have it, look for a Set up a time to meet option in the menu bar whenever you’re writing or replying to an email. Click that and then Offer times you’re free to suggest times you’d like to meet with the recipient.

If you received an email asking for you to select a meeting time, all you’ll have to do is click on a time in the email that works for you and confirm your name and email. Both you and the sender will receive a Google Calendar invite to meet at your agreed-upon time.

This week’s update comes after several other updates to Google Calendar. Last week, Google added the ability for hybrid Workplace users to let coworkers know what specific times they’ll be in the office and when they might be working at home or elsewhere.