Creating a Google Meet link takes less than a minute

You can create a Google Meet link in three ways: through Google Meet itself, through Google Calendar, or through Gmail. The fastest method is to go directly to meet.google.com, click Create a meeting, and Google generates a link you can share immediately. The link stays the same every time you use it, so you can save it and reuse it for regular meetings.

If you are scheduling a meeting for a specific time, creating the link through Google Calendar is better because it sends invitations with the meeting details and time zone information built in. Gmail also lets you add a Meet link to an email draft before you send it, which works well if you are already writing to the people who need to join.

All three methods create the same type of meeting link. The difference is where you start and what happens next — not what the link itself can do.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to meet.google.com and click Create a meeting to generate a shareable link in seconds without scheduling a specific time.
  • Your Google Meet link is permanent and reusable — the same link works for every meeting you host, unless you delete it.
  • Anyone with the link can join, but you can change settings to require people to wait for you to let them in.
  • You can share the link by copying it, emailing it, or sending it through any messaging app — Google Meet does not limit how you distribute it.
  • If you are scheduling a meeting for a specific date and time, use Google Calendar instead so invitations include the time and time zone.

Creating a link directly from Google Meet

Open a web browser and go to meet.google.com. If you are not already signed into your Google account, sign in now. You will see a screen with options to start a meeting or join one.

Click the button labeled Create a meeting. Google generates a unique link and opens the meeting room. The link appears at the top of the screen and usually looks like this: meet.google.com/abc-defg-hij. Copy this link by clicking the copy icon next to it, or by highlighting the text and pressing Ctrl+C (on Windows) or Command+C (on Mac).

You now have a working meeting link. You can share it with anyone, and they can join by clicking it or pasting it into their browser. The meeting room stays open as long as you keep it open, and the same link works the next time you want to use it.

Creating a link through Google Calendar

Open Google Calendar (calendar.google.com) and click the Create button, usually in the top left corner. Fill in the event title, date, and time. Scroll down until you see the option that says Add video conferencing or Add Google Meet.

Click that option. Google automatically adds a Meet link to the event. You can now add the email addresses of people you want to invite. When you click Save, Google sends them an invitation that includes the meeting link, date, time, and your time zone.

This method is better for meetings that happen at a set time because the invitation handles all the scheduling details. People receive a calendar notification before the meeting starts, and they can click the link directly from the invitation.

Creating a link through Gmail

Open Gmail and click Compose to start a new email. Type the recipient's email address and a subject line. In the message body, look for the video camera icon in the toolbar at the bottom of the compose window.

Click the video camera icon. Gmail adds a Google Meet link to your email and displays it in the message. You can now type your message and click Send. The recipient receives the email with the Meet link included, and they can click it to join.

This method works well when you are already writing to someone and want to add a meeting link to the same message. The link is generated when you send the email, so the recipient gets it at the same time as your message.

Sharing your Google Meet link

Once you have a link, you can share it any way you want. Copy the link and paste it into a text message, a chat app, an email, a document, or anywhere else. You can also click Share in the Google Meet room itself, and Google shows you options to copy the link or send it to specific people.

Anyone who has the link can join the meeting. If you want to control who enters, you can turn on Admit on entry in the meeting settings. This means people have to wait in a virtual waiting room until you let them in — useful if you are expecting people you know and want to keep out anyone who joins with the link by accident.

The link does not expire. You can share the same link for weeks or months, and it will work every time. If you ever want to stop using a link, you can delete the meeting from your Google Meet history, though this does not prevent the link from working if someone still has it.

Changing who can join your meeting

When you create a meeting, anyone with the link can join without asking permission. If you want to change this, click Settings or the three-dot menu in the Google Meet room and look for options about who can join.

You can set the meeting so that only people you invite can join, or you can keep it open to anyone with the link but require them to wait for you to admit them. The exact wording and location of these settings can vary depending on whether you are using Google Meet on the web or in the Google Calendar app.

If you created the meeting through Google Calendar and sent invitations to specific people, only those people receive the link in their invitation — but if they forward the link to someone else, that person can still join.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you cannot find the copy button for your link, try right-clicking on the link itself and selecting Copy link from the menu. If you are using an older browser, update it first — Google Meet works best on recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

If someone tells you they cannot join using your link, ask them to clear their browser cache and try again. Sometimes old cached data prevents a link from loading. You can also try sending them the link in a different format — for example, if you sent it in a message, try pasting it into an email instead.

If you lose track of a link you created, go to meet.google.com and look at your recent meetings. Google lists the meetings you have started, and you can click on any of them to rejoin and copy the link again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Google Meet link for multiple meetings?

Yes. Your Google Meet link is permanent and reusable. Every time you go to meet.google.com and click Create a meeting, you get the same link. You can use it for back-to-back meetings, weekly recurring meetings, or any other purpose. The link does not change unless you delete it.

What happens if I share my link with someone and then close the meeting?

The link stays active. If someone clicks it after you have closed the meeting, they will enter an empty meeting room and wait for you to join. You can join the same link anytime, and they will see you when you do. The link does not expire or become invalid.

Do I need a Google account to create a Google Meet link?

Yes, you need a Google account to create a meeting link. You can use a personal Gmail account, a Google account through your workplace, or a Google account through your school. Once you have an account, go to meet.google.com and sign in.

Can people join a Google Meet without a Google account?

Yes. People can join a Google Meet by clicking the link, even if they do not have a Google account. They may be asked to enter their name before joining, but they do not need to sign in or create an account.

How do I know if someone has joined my meeting?

When you are in the meeting room, you can see a list of participants on the right side of the screen (or in a panel you can open). The list shows everyone who has joined, including their names or the names they entered when they joined.